A TEAM of ‘enforcers’ tackling dog fouling and littering has started work in West Craven after a survey revealed people in Pendle put clean streets and dog mess top on a list of priorities.

Private company, District Enforcement, will be patrolling parks and dog fouling ‘hot-spots’ in Barnoldswick and Earby for an initial 12 month trial at no cost to Pendle Borough Council, after the council decided to take the step in December last year.

Council leader, Cllr Paul White, said it was a crackdown on those people who brought parts of Pendle down.

“As councillors, the number one complaint we get is about dog dirt and littering,” he said.“We’ve listened to residents and we’re taking tough action to clamp down on those who litter and on people who don’t clean up after their dogs.”

The uniformed ‘enforcers’, who carry cameras, started work on February 18 and for the first week issued strong warnings to anyone spotted dropping litter, or failing to clean up after their dogs.

From Monday (February 25), they will be issuing on the spot fines, of up to £150.

The council recently increased its fine for littering -which can include dropping a cigarette butt - from £75 to £150, and £80, if settled early. Those caught letting their dogs foul and not clearing it up now face a fine of £100.

Warren Hodgson, the national operations manager for District Enforcement said they would be working across the whole of Pendle and concentrating on known hot-spots.

“Our officers are equipped with cameras for our protection and for public protection and in case of complaints to show that we are treating people in a polite and friendly way,” he said.

Cllr White added: “The aim is simply to make Pendle a cleaner place, because it’s infuriating for those residents who do look after our area to see others spoiling it”.

The council says having the new team of enforcers will free up time for its environmental crime officers to tackle lengthier problems such as investigating fly tipping.

People can flag up problem hotspots for littering and dog fouling online at:pendle.gov.uk/doitonline.