We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Christmas shoppers have branded “lurking” litter wardens “creepy” after reports of people being “followed to the bin” in town centres.

It comes after council brought in private enforcement litter wardens to patrol streets in a bid to crack down on littering. 

Last week, Knowsley Council in Merseyside announced it had hired National Enforcement Solutions to fine people who drop rubbish in the borough.

Following the announcement, litter wardens were spotted at a shopping park in Prescot, reports The Liverpool Echo.

In a post shared on a local social media group last week, with a photograph depicting what appeared to be an enforcement officer “lurking” close to a shop entrance, it was stated the council was “out trying to fine people.”

The post sparked dozens of comments from residents with different opinions about the council’s decision to contract the firm.

Some were furious, vowing to refuse to cooperate if officers approached them.

One person said they thought the way people were being followed around by officers was “creepy.”

He said: “Hate the way they follow you I had it when I smoked they followed me until I put it out on a bin so creepy.”

Another added she had watched someone get fined after the officer lay in wait outside the supermarket for the woman to finish her shopping.

Others said they were concerned vulnerable people, or mothers with young children “accidentally” dropping litter could find themselves being targeted, prompting one person to say: “If you drop it pick it up, no problems.”

Others were sympathetic to the idea of the council contracting officers in an attempt to stop people littering, with one saying: “No problem if you don’t drop litter surely.”

Another suggested there could be a more effective approach than chasing after people who drop litter, stating: “Instead of paying them to try and fine people, (scruffs will always drop litter) give them a brush and shovel and pay them to push a cart around and pick the rubbish up.”

One person stated simply: “I think it’s a load of rubbish.”

Responding, the council said its decision to contract litter enforcement officers came about after concerns expressed by the people of Knowsley.

A Knowsley Council spokesperson said: “We listened to our residents’ feedback regarding litter in the borough and have invested in additional resources to keep Knowsley clean and tidy.

“Any concerns we receive will be thoroughly investigated through our complaints procedure and we encourage anyone to report any concerns they may have to [email protected] / 0151 443 2400.”

Express Online has contacted National Enforcement Solutions for comment.

Source: Read Full Article