A CRUSADER against litter enforcement group Kingdom is calling for the removal of the private firm from East Lancashire.

Peter Rourke, who ran ironwork firm Rourke B and Co Ltd in Burnley for 20 years, said Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley and Hyndburn Councils will be his next targets if his campaign forces Kingdom out of North Wales.

The environmental enforcement group has been employed by local councils, with powers to issue £75 on-the-spot fines to those who drop litter and cigarette butts or let their dogs foul pavements and parks.

The firm was introduced in October last year in Blackburn and more than 12 months ago in Burnley, while Hyndburn Council will team up with Kingdom this year.

Mr Rourke, who now lives in Llandudno, claims Kingdom’s zero tolerance campaign is ‘illegal’ and wants to remove the firm from Blackburn, Burnley and Padiham over the next few months.

Since starting the group North Wales Against Kingdom, which has more than 10,000 members, the private firm has moved out of Conwy, Anglesey, Gwynedd, Flintshire and Denbighshire.

The 51-year-old, started his campaign against both the litter enforcement group and Conwy County Council 18 months ago. He said: “It’s the most ridiculous thing I have seen take place in a free country.” He claims the enforcement is “totally illegal”.

He said: “The councils announce zero tolerance on litter. Nothing in law or guidance allows for zero tolerance.”

Mr Rourke said that the campaign is about to begin proceedings to have £18million of fixed penalty notices returned in North Wales. He added: “Once we have thrown Kingdom out of North Wales we intend to go UK-wide.”

Kingdom was approached for a response to Mr Rourke’s claims but the firm said the three borough councils would speak on their behalf. Bosses at Blackburn with Darwen Council dismissed the claims and say Kingdom are operating lawfully on behalf of the local authority.

Cllr Jim Smith, executive member for environment, said: “Kingdom are lawfully operating on the council’s behalf to enforce litter and dog fouling legislation in the borough.

“We are very happy with the service and it has provided some great results including dog fouling penalties increasing from around five a year to 34 since October and around 500 people being prosecuted for littering offences. Our message is clear. If you don’t litter and if you clear up after your dog you won’t get fined.”

A spokesman for Hyndburn Council said: “We can’t comment on any contractual agreement Kingdom had or has with other local authorities. The 12-month pilot arrangement between the council and Kingdom will simply supplement the existing litter and dog fouling enforcement work council officers already undertake.” Burnley Council declined to comment.