Council leader says a ‘robust approach’ will be taken to anyone caught littering after photos show the amount of rubbish on Sunderland’s walking routes

Sunderland City Council leader, Councillor Graeme Miller, has vowed that anyone caught littering will face fines.
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It comes after images submitted to the Echo show the amount of litter lying around on walking routes across Sunderland, with Ryhope and Barnes being highlighted.

Video footage from a path that runs from Eden Vale to Chester Road shows how much litter is on the city’s streets, which are seeing more walkers using them due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

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In October last year, Sunderland City Council set up a new Neighbourhood Enforcement Team in response to residents' calls for a clean green city – with the aim of cracking down on littering, fly-tipping and antisocial behaviour.

A concerned resident is wanting to raise awareness over the amount of litter across the city.A concerned resident is wanting to raise awareness over the amount of litter across the city.
A concerned resident is wanting to raise awareness over the amount of litter across the city.

Council leader, Councillor Graeme Miller, has said that a “robust approach” will be taken towards those caught littering.

Cllr Miller commented: “Littering is careless and thoughtless. It blights our communities, spoils our countryside, harms our wildlife and wastes taxpayers money to clean it up.

"The council has adopted a robust approach towards those people who are caught dropping litter, which will result in them facing fines of £150, rising to £2,500 if the fixed penalty notice is not paid and the case ends up with conviction in the Magistrates Court.

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"We would actively encourage anyone witnessing this type of behavior to report it immediately at www.sunderland.gov.uk/report-it or by calling 0191 5205550.”

Sunderland City Council say robust action will be taken against anyone caught littering.Sunderland City Council say robust action will be taken against anyone caught littering.
Sunderland City Council say robust action will be taken against anyone caught littering.
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In December 2017, the Echo launched its Clean Streets campaign in response to readers’ concerns about the cleanliness of public spaces across Sunderland.

Backed by Sunderland City Council, the campaign calls on the public to take pride in their community, and report any incidents of fly-tipping and littering.

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