THE COUNCIL has not issued a single fine for dropping cigarette butts since 2016 across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Since the councils merger in April 2019, no fixed penalty notices (FPNs) have been issued in BCP or environmental offences - including for littering and dropping cigarette butts.

When the councils merged, BCP was delegated powers for a six-month pilot scheme in Bournemouth town centre - at the end of 2019 - which allowed CSAS officers to issue FPNs for environmental offences.

However, no FPNs were issued during this six-month trial - nor have any been issued to date.

A spokesperson for the council said: “When COVID struck there was no opportunity for our CSAS officers to implement [FPNs] as our town centres weren’t open for a long time and they were more focused on other / COVID matters.”

Prior to the merger, Bournemouth Borough Council had a contract with a private provider who could issue FPNs for environmental offences, however this ceased in 2016 and there was no provision after this date.

During the life of the external provider contact for BBC, 4,000 FPNs were issued.

The full payment amount of an FPN for littering in BCP is £100, with a discounted rate of £75 if paid within 14 days - not paying this fine may lead to formal action including prosecution.

Councillor May Haines, portfolio holder for community safety at BCP Council said: “We are committed to keeping Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole clean and clear from litter.

“Along the seafront and in the town centres, crews are out from early in the morning to clean up these spaces ready for the day ahead.

“We have trained officers with delegated powers to issue FPNs where required as part of their wider job roles.

“Legislatively, in order to issue an FPN the officer must see the litter being dropped and then the person leaving the area without attempting to pick up the litter, which is a challenge.

“However, we will issue FPNs where offences are seen and evidenced.”

The council has now undertaken a litter survey using drone technology and AI. They are working with the environmental charity Hubbub to put bins in the right place and encourage people to actively put their cigarette butts and chewing gum in the bins provided.