The number of fixed penalty notice orders issued each year in Wales has risen by 555% since 2007/08, according to a Freedom of Information Request by Janet Finch-Saunders AM.
The Shadow Local Government Secretary said the figures showed “alarming inconsistencies” throughout Wales, and urged local authorities not to use Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) as a ‘tax’.
According to a Freedom of Information Request by the Welsh Conservatives, the number of FPNs issued annually in Wales has risen by 555% since 2007/08; from 2,881 in 07/08 to 18,867 last year.
Figures for 2015-16 also revealed Swansea to be the area where the most notices were issued in Wales, closely followed by Denbighshire and Conwy:
Swansea: 5,222 (+90% on 2014-15)
Denbighshire: 4,294 (+27.4%)
Conwy: 2,746 (9.3%)
Meanwhile, just one Fixed Penalty Notice was issue between Ceredigion, Monmouthshire and Powys.
The figures come just a week after an investigation by BBC Panorama found that a firm hired by four councils in North Wales to act as “litter police” are paid a cash bonus for each fine they issue.
Janet Finch-Saunders said:
“The system is there to penalise those found to be in breach of the rules, but it is clear that something isn’t working because the number of fixed penalties is going up dramatically each year.
“The figures also reveal alarming inconsistencies across Wales, with some councils not issuing a single notice and others such as Swansea and Denbighshire doling out thousands.
“In all too many instances residents also appear to be falling foul of over-zealous enforcement officers on generous bonus schemes.
“I’ve had a number of complaints from Conwy residents, and it’s vital that we remember that the aim of the legislation was to cut instances of dog fouling, littering and graffiti – not to generate stockpiles of cash.”
The figures relate to Fixed Penalty Notices issued under the Environmental Protection Act, which covers a range of crimes including littering, fly-tipping, graffiti and dog fouling.
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