Multiple reports say some UK councils are sending staff on daily foot patrols to enforce provisions under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The aim is to identify alleged breaches and issue Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) to individuals. Under the reported scheme, staff can issue penalties of up to £500 for certain offences linked to failure to comply with requirements related to the alleged breach.
The reports also state that enforcement staff request and may require personal details from those they are dealing with. They claim that if a person does not provide required information, further action can follow, including possible arrest.
The articles describe these patrols as part of councils’ efforts to increase compliance, with staff reportedly hired on an hourly basis. The overall accounts focus on the enforcement process—patrols, issuing FPNs, requesting personal details, and the potential consequences for non-compliance—without providing details on council-by-council variation or specific court cases.
