A COUNCIL that has vowed to clean up its streets has stepped up its campaign by issuing fixed penalty notices.
Wear Valley District Council said it is prepared to take people to court if they do not pick up their litter or clean up after their dogs.
The council had its first successful prosecution last week when a woman from Coundon was fined £75 and ordered to pay costs after failing to clean up after her dog.
A spokesman for the council said: "We have a number of fixed penalty notices for both dog fouling and litter outstanding, which are being prepared for court and a number of fixed penalty notices that have been paid.
"This successful prosecution continues to highlight our determination to crack down on indiscriminate dog fouling and littering in the district and show such behaviour to be seen as socially unacceptable".
Fixed Penalty Notices can be issued by authorised officers of Wear Valley District Council. The offender is then given 14 days to pay a £50 fee for dog fouling and/or littering under the Environmental Protection Act.
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