Fermanagh and Omagh District Council have stepped up resources to tackle littering and dog fouling in the district with an increase in the number of enforcement officers patrolling towns and villages.

From Monday June 20, the Council has partnered with Waste Investigations Support and Enforcement (WISE) for a year long trial. WISE are a specialist supplier of enforcement services to Councils across the UK.

This partnership will visibly increase the number of Enforcement Officers patrolling the district, with WISE employees having powers, granted by Council, to issue an £80 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) to anyone dropping litter in the street or failing to pick up after their dog.

Failure to pay an FPN may result in prosecution being brought and a much higher fine being imposed by the Court, as well as a potential criminal record.

The Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Barry McElduff said: “Our beautiful towns, villages and countryside across the district are being blighted by litter and dog fouling.

"The Council has invested considerable resources over many years to educate and raise awareness regarding the negative environmental impact of littering and dog fouling. There is now a real need to address the minority of people who still believe it is acceptable to drop rubbish or not tidy up after their dogs fouling our streets and open spaces.

"The substantial amounts of money being spent on street cleaning could be better invested in local communities."

Councillor McElduff continued: "Cleaning up our public spaces is a priority for Council. As a member of Leave No Trace Ireland, the Council is committed to promoting the Seven Leave no Trace Principles."

He added: "The majority of people will have nothing to worry about, of course, because they will continue to respect our environment and will continue to act responsibly as they always have.”

Managing Director of WISE John Dunne who is leading the team in the District said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council to proactively tackle littering and dog fouling across the District, a region that has so many beautiful outdoor spaces, villages and towns. Our aim is to reduce the level of littering and dog fouling for the long term, and to help ensure these popular areas are pleasant spaces for everyone to use and enjoy.

"Our patrols will focus on identified hotspots received from complaints and feedback from the general public.”