LITTER louts in the Bradford district who throw rubbish from a vehicle could face a fine.

If the Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) is approved, Bradford Council will use legislation introduced last year in a bid to tackle the problem.

The Council's decision-making Executive will discuss the possible introduction of the new PCN at a meeting next week.

Under the Littering from Vehicles outside London (Keepers: Civil Penalties) Regulations 2018, the registered keeper of the vehicle can be held responsible for the litter from vehicle offence and a PCN can be issued to the registered keeper of the vehicle.

This removes the need to identify who threw the litter before enforcement action can be taken.

The Executive is also asked to support a proposal to increase the existing litter Fixed Penalty Notice for leaving litter from £80 fixed to £100 with a reduction to £80 for early payment.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “Our long-term aim is to stop people dropping litter whether from a vehicle or out on the street. It is unsightly and is anti-social.

“We don’t want to have to fine people but we must make people face up to their responsibilities and dispose of their rubbish in the proper way.”

A report released ahead of the meeting says: "Environmental Enforcement Team Officers regularly receive complaints of people dropping litter from vehicles.

"This includes reports from members of the public.

"Where a report is received about a litter from vehicle offence, a DVLA check is undertaken and the registered keeper is identified.

"A letter is sent to the keeper asking them to provide details of the offender.

"Where the offender is identified a FPN is issued.

"Where the offender cannot be identified no further action can be taken."

It adds: "Where offenders cannot be identified this can be frustrating as nobody can be held accountable for the offence.

"It can also undermine the public’s confidence in the Council’s ability to take enforcement action and deal with such offences."

The report adds that a "targeted, educational, advertising and marketing campaign" will raise public awareness of the issues.

And as the Council is a member of the Keep Britain Tidy group, it has access to posters and campaign material at a discounted cost.

"It is recognised that the reporting of such offences can be open to abuse and fraudulent complaints can be made by the public," says the report.

"In order to ensure the Council only takes enforcement action where offences are committed, the Council will only consider reports from members of the public where video evidence is submitted that clearly identifies the offence."

It adds: "Failure to take appropriate enforcement action against people that drop litter may undermine the public’s confidence in the Council’s ability to take enforcement action and deal with such offences."

The proposal will be discussed at a meeting in City Hall on Tuesday, June 11, from 10.30am.