Cookie Consent by Privacy Policies Generator website

This is a test site, not for public use

Information on this site may be out of date and is only intended for use by DBC staff for testing. The live website is available at:

www.darlington.gov.uk


This box is intentionally ugly!

Environmental crimes and fixed penalty notices (FPN)

The council has a robust approach to all aspects of environmental crime.  In June 2019, the council’s new highly trained Civic Enforcement Team was launched. Not only will they act as a deterrent, but will also investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute cases of anti-social behaviour, fly tipping, litter, dog fouling, illegal parking and vehicles that are untaxed, dangerous or causing an obstruction or nuisance.

The best way to avoid paying a fine is to ensure that you put your litter (including cigarette ends) and dog mess into the bins provided or take it home with you.  It costs Darlington Borough Council taxpayers more than £1.18 million every year to clean up litter and dog fouling despite the best efforts of the council’s workforce and our brilliant volunteers, the Street Champions and others.   

Environmental Crime Enforcement – FAQs

Why are we doing this – what has driven us to take this decision?

The aim is to reduce all aspects of environmental crime in the town and wider area and make Darlington a safer, more vibrant place to live, work and enjoy.

What is our understanding of public/local businesses’ views?

The council regularly receives comments/complaints re. Environmental crime which is an ongoing issue in the borough. The use of enforcement staff will be welcomed by the majority, however there will be a small minority, mainly those who offend, that will be against enforcement for environmental crime.

What about ‘accidental littering’ - who will ensure ‘fairness’?

We would expect a common sense approach on such issues. Officers are trained to adopt a proportionate, common sense approach.  There will also be an appeals process for anyone wishing to challenge a decision to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice.

What about fly tipping – particularly in back lanes?

The Civic Enforcement Team will be able to focus on issues such as fly tipping and abandoned vehicles.  The new roles will combine the work of parking enforcement, dog wardens, antisocial behaviour and environmental crime enabling them to look out for issues and deal with them while out on patrol.

What about an appeals process – will this create a demand on council resources and who will be responsible?

Darlington Borough Council will also be responsible for administering an ‘Appeals Process’ for some offences and details can be found on the Fixed Penalty Notice and also below.

How do you appeal?

Details of the ‘Appeals Process’ can be found on the Fixed Penalty Notice as follows:

Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) are issued as an alternative to being prosecuted for the offence. Paying the FPN discharges your liability and avoids the chance of a higher fine and a criminal record. You have the right not to pay this FPN and defend any prosecution against you in a magistrates’ court.

If you wish to challenge a FPN you should email [email protected] or write to Civic Processing Team, Town Hall, D Block, Darlington, DL1 5QT. (Appeals cannot be dealt with over the phone). Ultimately, if anyone does not agree with the council’s decision the case can then be heard in the courts.

What happens when under 18s are caught by enforcement officers?

Different arrangements will apply to those under 18 years of age who commit these offences, as follows;

10-13 year olds

FPNs will not be issued to those under the age of 14 where a littering of dog fouling offence is witnessed, but they should still be requested to pick it up and both the juvenile and their parent/guardian will be sent a formal warning so that the parent/guardian is aware of the situation.

14 and 15 year olds

If a littering or dog fouling offence is committed by someone who is 14 or 15, in the first instance they would be requested to pick it up and dispose of it in the correct manner. If they do so, a formal warning would then be given, verbally at the time and followed up in writing to both the juvenile and their parent/guardian. If the litter/dog foul is not picked up, a FPN would be issued to the individual and the parent/guardian informed. Note: Prior to FPN being issued, consultation will take place with the Youth Offending Service as to whether this is an appropriate course of action.

16 and 17 year olds

If an individual who is 16 or 17 commits a littering or dog fouling offence they will be issued with a FPN and the parent/guardian informed. Prior to FPN being issued, consultation will take place with Youth Offending Service as to whether this is an appropriate course of action.

In every instance where a FPN is issued to an under 18, consideration can be given to a supervised litter pick as an alternative to payment of the FPN. This option will be explained to the individual and their parent/guardian at the time of the FPN being sent out to them.

Will body cameras be used by the enforcement officers?

Civic Enforcement Officers use bodycams.

What are the FPN rates?

These come into force on 1st October 2019

The rates can be viewed below, click on the accordion to expand

System.Web.HttpCompileException (0x80004005): D:\Umbraco_Sites\DBC_TEST\Darlington_TEST\app_plugins\leblender\editors\leblendereditor\views\base.cshtml(2): error CS0246: The type or namespace name 'Lecoati' could not be found (are you missing a using directive or an assembly reference?)
   at System.Web.Compilation.AssemblyBuilder.Compile()
   at System.Web.Compilation.BuildProvidersCompiler.PerformBuild()
   at System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.CompileWebFile(VirtualPath virtualPath)
   at System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.GetVPathBuildResultInternal(VirtualPath virtualPath, Boolean noBuild, Boolean allowCrossApp, Boolean allowBuildInPrecompile, Boolean throwIfNotFound, Boolean ensureIsUpToDate)
   at System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.GetVPathBuildResultWithNoAssert(HttpContext context, VirtualPath virtualPath, Boolean noBuild, Boolean allowCrossApp, Boolean allowBuildInPrecompile, Boolean throwIfNotFound, Boolean ensureIsUpToDate)
   at System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.GetVirtualPathObjectFactory(VirtualPath virtualPath, HttpContext context, Boolean allowCrossApp, Boolean throwIfNotFound)
   at System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.GetCompiledType(VirtualPath virtualPath)
   at System.Web.Mvc.BuildManagerCompiledView.Render(ViewContext viewContext, TextWriter writer)
   at Umbraco.Core.Profiling.ProfilingView.Render(ViewContext viewContext, TextWriter writer)
   at System.Web.Mvc.Html.PartialExtensions.Partial(HtmlHelper htmlHelper, String partialViewName, Object model, ViewDataDictionary viewData)
   at ASP._Page_Views_Partials_grid_editors_base_cshtml.Execute() in D:\Umbraco_Sites\DBC_TEST\Darlington_TEST\Views\Partials\grid\editors\base.cshtml:line 20

Install our web app.