MORE than 80 fixed penalty notices for environmental crimes such as littering and dog fouling were issued in a month in County Durham.

County council neighbourhood wardens work PCSOs to make the county a cleaner, greener place.

In January, the council issued nine fixed penalty notices for dog fouling, 48 for littering and 27 for failing to comply with a litter clearing notice.

Neighbourhood protection manager Ian Hoult said: “Littering and dog fouling are of great concern to local people and we are determined to continue to tackle those responsible.

“To help us achieve this, we are calling on residents to come forward with any information they have regarding the identities of possible offenders.”

Throughout February neighbourhood wardens have been targeting dog fouling problems areas as part of the council’s responsible dog ownership campaign.

The wardens are working with the council’s civic pride officers to educate dog owners about their responsibilities and issue fixed penalty notices.

People can report incidents of littering and dog fouling on 03000-26-1000.

The majority of fixed penalty notices issued in January were for littering: In the Chester-le-Street area, 13 notices were for littering. Seven were for dropping cigarette ends in the town centre.

In the Peterlee area, nine notices were issued for littering in the town centre.

At Stanley, eight notices were issued for littering.

Other notices were issued in Bishop Auckland, Seaham, Murton, Crook and Consett.

Litter clearing notices were given to residents with rubbish in their yards and gardens, mostly in the Spennymoor and Ferryhill areas.

Failure to comply with a litter clearing notice results in a fixed penalty notice.

Fixed penalty notices for failing to comply with a litter clearing notice were issued in Consett, Willington, Newton Aycliffe, Shildon, Peterlee, Stanley, Bishop Auckland and Coundon Grange/Eldon Grange.