Litter Wardens

[nailit]

Exactly what 'powers' do litter wardens have?
It came up in a conversation today with a friend about a mutual acquaintance we both knew who, a few years ago, was stopped by a litter warden (I believe for throwing a cigarette butt on the ground). He was asked to give his details but declined and simply got on his push bike and cycled off.
Presumebly, they cant detain you but what powers do they have to obtain your details (for purpose of a fine) if you refuse? Would the police get involved for such a minor incident?
Thanks.
(please, no lengthy links to trawl through, ta)

[Buenchico]

Quote:
"(8A)If an authorised officer of a litter authority proposes to give a person a notice under this section, the officer may require the person to give him his name and address.

(8B)A person commits an offence if—

(a)he fails to give his name and address when required to do so under subsection (8A) above, or

(b)he gives a false or inaccurate name or address in response to a requirement under that subsection.

(8C)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (8B) above is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.”
[Section 88 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, as amended by Section 19 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005]

So failing to provide your name and address to a litter warden is a criminal offence, with a maximum penalty of a £1000 fine. Litter wardens have no powers to detain anyone but they can alert the police (and, in relevant areas, CCTV operators) that two criminal offences (i.e. dropping litter and failing to provide personal details) have been committed by the offender, allowing them to be apprehended.

When local authorities have 'major clean-up' campaigns running, it's not unusual for them to involve the police so that they (or their PCSOs) can be available to support their wardens in their duties.

[nailit]

Thanks Chris, very informative as always.
So, just to put things in to perspective. Theres enough police officers to deal with rape, muggins, assaults, burglaries, murders, assaults, AND throwing away a used cigarette butt?
Seems a bit odd to me.

[Mamyalynne]

If you said that to a Police Officer who stopped you (and I've seen it done) thy'll tell you they've been asked that several times that day.

[nailit]

// thy'll tell you they've been asked that several times that day//
Asked what exactly Mamy?
And what was the answer?

[nailit]

I don't get it... so some ''official'' can stop you and ask for your details (name, address and so on) and we are supposed to just hand them over?)

[Mamyalynne]

Sorry I wasn't clear - the Police are regularly asked by people 'Have you nothing better to do? Go and catch some burglars,rapists etc'.


The best reply I heard came calmly from a young officer who replied 'Yes Sir we have and if you would cooperate I shall get straight back onto that'.

[nailit]

'Yes Sir we have and if you would cooperate I shall get straight back onto that'.
Haha, love that.
It still seems a waste of police time though over a cigarette butt when the police are over stretched as it is.