MORE than 250 people have paid the price for dog fouling, dropping litter or not clearing rubbish from their yards in the last two months.

Neighbourhood wardens in County Durham issued them with £80 fixed penalty notices in April and May in enforcement action to protect the environment.

Ian Hoult, neighbourhood protection manager, Durham County Council, said: “It is really important that we respond to the concerns of our communities and this action shows that such anti-social and irresponsible behaviour will not be tolerated and will be clamped down wherever it is reported or witnessed.

“This covers everything from people who illegally dump waste, do not clean up after their dogs, leave litter or refuse to tidy up gardens and yards

“We want residents to continue playing their important part by reporting such incidents to us in the first place.

“All reports are treated with the strictest confidence.”

Figures for the two months show wardens issued 207 fixed penalty notices for littering, 48 for failing to respond to requests to clear untidy gardens or yards and 17 for dog fouling.

One case of fly-tipping resulted in a prosecution.

Stray dogs with micro-chips were traced to their owners and others were taken to kennels and found new homes if not claimed within 14 days.

Anyone with information about dog fouling, littering and flytipping can report it in confidence by ringing 03000-261000 or using online forms available from www.durham.gov.uk