Litter Fines Soar: Some Councils Issue Thousands, Others None

Littering fines across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Buckinghamshire can range from £75 to £500, with enforcement practices varying widely among local councils. A significant disparity exists in the number of fixed penalty notices (FPNs) issued, with some authorities issuing thousands annually while others issue none. This inconsistency is highlighted by stark differences in enforcement between councils that use private contractors and those that do not.

Areas employing private contractors, such as Luton, Bedford, and Milton Keynes, report substantially higher numbers of littering fines. Milton Keynes City Council, for instance, saw its FPNs jump from 45 in 2020-21 to over 7,000 in 2022-23 after engaging a private firm. Similarly, Bedford Borough Council issues thousands of fines yearly, largely for cigarette litter, collecting substantial amounts in penalties. Luton Borough Council also experienced a rise in fines after increasing its standard penalty to £500.

Conversely, some councils report very low enforcement figures. Broxbourne Council issued no FPNs for littering between April 2020 and the present, prioritizing other environmental crimes. Central Bedfordshire Council issued only 10 fines over five years, while St Albans and Stevenage issued minimal penalties. Critics argue that inconsistent enforcement renders laws ineffective, with calls for more robust measures to combat littering across the region.