A ZERO tolerance warning has been issued as Darlington’s council steps up its war on litter.

The authority has appointed a private organisation to help to tackle the annual £1.18m cost of cleaning up the streets.

Following a “comprehensive tendering process”, Kingdom Services Group Ltd has been enlisted to begin patrols in Darlington this September.

Their enforcement agents will focus upon offences including littering and dog fouling, a move which will allow the council’s environmental team to concentrate on issues including fly-tipping, abandoned cars and anti-social behaviour.

Fixed penalty notices of £75 will be issued to anyone caught dropping litter or dog fouling, with agents expected to focus mainly on densely populated areas such as the town centre.

Councillor Nick Wallis, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for leisure and the local environment, said: “Despite the best efforts of the council’s workforce and our brilliant volunteers and Street Champions, we’re simply not able to win the battle against those people who do not respect their area and continue to drop litter or do not pick up after their dogs.

“We are now adopting a ‘zero tolerance’ approach and our message to residents and visitors to Darlington is simple – enough is enough.

“Litter and dog fouling will not be tolerated. If you are caught – and there’s a good chance you will be – you will be fined.”

When the plans to enlist the private firm were first announced, Matthew Snedker of Darlington’s Green Party claimed that the council’s need to employ a private company should ‘ring alarm bells’ for council staff and the general public.

He said: “Tax payers will not get value for money. Council employees in other departments must also be looking over their shoulders, wondering if their department is the next to be sold down the river.”

The new approach was welcomed by Cllr Gerald Lee, a keen environmentalist who had campaigned on littering, calling on the council to employ a private firm.

Graham Hall, the council's head of community safety, said there were substantial benefits to using the private sector.

He said: “Around 45 local authorities currently use private sector enforcement contracts across the country with some encouraging results.

“We know it is something that divides public opinion, but we are determined to tackle the ongoing problem of

litter and dog fouling on our streets.

For further information, visit darlington.gov.uk/litterpatrols.