As part of a SNAP (Safer Neighbourhoods Action Panel) initiative, starting on Wednesday 11^th July, officers from Norwich City Council and Norfolk Constabulary will be on hand at The Forum to explain more about the new fixed £80 penalty notices which apply to graffiti, tagging and deliberately leaving litter. Officers will be available from 12 noon to 2pm and from 4pm to 5.30pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays and from 12 noon to 4pm on Saturdays over the next fortnight.  

 

Environmentally friendly, portable ash trays, which not only safely extinguish your cigarette,  but also neatly carry the butt around until you find a suitable bin to put it in, will be given out to smokers. Pavement graphics featuring the headline ‘£80 well spent?’ and a picture of someone dropping litter within easy reach of a bin have been sited around Millennium Plain warning people about the new penalty notices.

 

Cath Howes, Environmental Protection Officer at Norwich City Council said: “This is a great opportunity to educate people about the effects of leaving rubbish. Many people probably don’t realise that stubbing your cigarette out on the pavement and leaving it there is equivalent to dropping litter. No-one likes wading through rubbish of any kind and it’s easy for everyone to do their bit to help.”

 

Inspector Nick Cheshire from Norfolk Constabulary said: “We are committed to improving the quality of life for people who live and work in Norwich. We welcome this opportunity to raise awareness about graffiti and littering. There are no excuses for this type of anti social behaviour and we will be issuing penalty notices to individuals who ignore our advice. Our officers who regularly patrol the city centre on foot will take positive action to support this cause. “

 

Steve Falvey, Building Manager for The Forum said: “We’re delighted to be working with the City Council and the Police to highlight this important issue. Despite having 20 rubbish and cigarette bins on site, we unfortunately experience serious problems with litter on a daily basis. The portable ash trays we are giving away are a really clever solution to a messy problem and deliver a positive message to everyone.”