Students caught dropping litter in Lichfield are to be given the chance to do community work instead of paying a fine.

The move comes as part of a project at Nether Stowe High School by Staffordshire Police and Lichfield District Council.

Police officers and council environmental health officers will be patrolling the surrounding area of the school and giving any under 18 year-olds caught dropping litter the chance to take part in community work rather than pay a fine.

Inspector Trevor Steventon, Lichfield’s Neighbourhood Policing Unit Commander, said:

“Being a litterbug is anti-social and gives people a poor impression of the neighbourhood. However, we do not want to criminalise people in Lichfield and would encourage them to take part in some positive community work, such as a litter pick, which should make them think twice before dropping litter.”

The scheme has also seen Lichfield District Council’s Recycling and Waste Education Officer visit the school to explain why it is so important to keep Britain tidy.

This is the second in a series of enforcement activities aimed at schools, to tackle young people who drop litter.

Helen Spearey, Strategic Director of Community, Housing and Health for Lichfield District Council, said:

“We would urge young people to think very carefully about the consequences of littering. Not only does it look bad, it could also mean the cost of paying a fine or giving up valuable free time to take part in a supervised litter pick. So be warned – council and police officers will be stepping up their enforcement activity, and if you are caught dropping litter you will be punished for your anti social behaviour.”

Parents of pupils at the school have been sent letters warning them of the new consequences of their children dropping litter.  

Ruth Poppleton, Nether Stowe Mathematics and Computing Specialist School Head Teacher, said:

“We always encourage our pupils to take responsibility for their environment and putting litter in the bin is a great contribution. However, it is good to get a reminder from the experts about why it is so important to take responsibility for your litter. I am positive that our pupils will help keep the district free of litter.”

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.

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Phil
14 years ago

I hate to be negative but won’t this give under-18s a negative view of volunteer work, seeing it as a punishment rather than a service to the community?