Anti-dog fouling teams to hit the streets

XFOR, the company contracted to carry out environmental enforcement for Denbighshire County Council, has now recruited six new enforcement staff who will take on the battle to rid local streets of dog mess and litter.

The team will be kitted out with video cameras to patrol hotspot areas on the lookout for anyone who fails to clean up after their dog or throws litter on the street.

* Llangollen's anti-dog fouling poster. 

Cabinet Lead Member for Environment, Councillor David Smith, said: “Dog fouling and littering are two of the most common complaints we receive here in Denbighshire. It was highlighted in our latest resident’s survey as one of the most pressing issues in communities.

“Not only is dog fouling a health hazard, it blights the environment in communities across the authority and now is the time to tackle the issue robustly.

“We will be looking to engage with communities, educate people on the need to clear up after their dogs and make it much easier for people to report through a freephone number and social media as well as the more traditional methods of making a complaint.”

Gary Lincoln-Hope, CEO at XFOR said: "We are pleased to be working in partnership with Denbighshire to combat problems with littering and dog fouling.  “XFOR LAS is now providing two teams to patrol the streets, issuing fixed penalty notices for offences.

“These experienced officers are supported by our back office teams as necessary. We have been welcomed by the council and the local community, and look forward to making robust FPN enforcement more practicable for the council. Most importantly, this partnership will have a measurable impact on the cleanliness of Denbighshire's streets."

The appointment of XFOR will not cost the authority anything but the firm will take a percentage of what they receive from issuing fixed penalty notices. In the coming weeks, Denbighshire will be producing flyers, guides, posters and postcards to be distributed through all council reception areas, libraries, schools, veterinary surgeries, supermarkets, Town and Community Councils, tenants associations, leisure centres and tourist information centres.

Cllr Smith added: “We hope residents will get fully behind this campaign and help reduce this anti-social behaviour once and for all, ensuring Denbighshire is one of the cleanest greenest counties in Wales.”

To report problems with dog fouling, please telephone the Council’s Customer Contact Centre, on 01824 706100 (Welsh language) or 01824 706101.