Council highlights costs of environmental crimes following three successful prosecutions

The Environmental Services department in Great Yarmouth has one of the best records for enforcement on environmental crimes in the whole of Norfolk. The Environmental Rangers investigate incidents, follows-up tip-offs and appeals for public information to help target those who blight the environment.

One of the borough council's priorities is to support people who want to contribute to enhancing the borough, and to challenge people and their behaviour when they disrupt others' quality of life. The council recently brought three successful prosecutions at Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court:

Sandra Gaizauskaite, aged 33, of Havelock Road, Great Yarmouth, was caught on CCTV failing to pick up after her dog had fouled at the corner of Havelock Road/Alma Road on January 2, 2020. Then on January 3, 2020 she was captured again on CCTV, this time littering by picking up her dog's mess and putting it in a green recycling wheelie bin on Havelock Road, Great Yarmouth.

The magistrates found her guilty of both offences in her absence. The court ordered herto pay £200 for dog-fouling and £300 for littering, as well as £350 costs and a £50 victim surcharge.                          

Jill Law, aged 49, of Nelson Road South, Great Yarmouth, was found guilty in her absence of an offence of dog-fouling. An Environmental Ranger saw her failing to clear up after her dog at St Nicholas Recreation Ground on January 22, 2020. She was ordered to pay a £400 fine, £100 costs plus a £40 victim surcharge.

David Kemp, age 50, of Kings Road, Gorleston, pleaded guilty to fly-tipping. On December 5, 2019, he fly-tipped approximately five black bags of waste at Malthouse Lane in Gorleston, behind the old registry office. Evidence recovered from the waste allowed the council to trace him. Mr Kemp was ordered to pay a £480 fine, £250 costs and a £48 victim surcharge.

Cllr Penny Carpenter, chairman of the environment committee, said: "Crimes of the environmental nature contaminate our communities and environment. The work the Rangers do in educating and prosecuting people helps ensure these crimes are kept to a minimum."

"The Environmental Rangers do a lot of work to ensure crimes such as fly-tipping and dog-fouling are prosecuted, including searching dumped waste for evidence, following up on leads and interviewing witnesses.

"Whilst targeted patrols are carried out, the Rangers cannot be everywhere at once, therefore they rely on other evidence, including public tip-offs, to help target the right individuals. All approaches will be treated in confidence.

"As a society we witness the sheer thoughtlessness carried out by others who have very little consideration for the majority. Our team are, quite rightly, recognised as a proactive unit and we fully support them in their duties and welcome the court's decision on these cases."

Anyone who witnesses an environmental crime in the borough or has information that may help to identify an offender should contact the Environmental Rangers and provide as much information as possible, such as the location and time of offence, what occurred, the description or address of the offender(s), and the registration number of any vehicle involved. The quickest way to report is to download the Report IT GY App, or you can call 01493 846478.