Basildon News
LItter bugs change their ways when we’re about
7:00am Sunday 5th February 2012
LITTER hotspots will be targeted by uniformed officers at busy times, under council plans to employ a private firm to keep Basildon’s streets clean.
Private firm Xfor, made up of former detectives and soldiers, would film the people they fine and patrol areas where people regularly litter, leave dog mess behind and drop cigarettes.
Michael Fisher, a former detective who is group manager of Xfor, said his staff had seen dramatic differences in the way people treat their streets since being brought in by councils in other areas.
He said: “In Maidstone, you see people crossing the road to put a cigarette in the bin, whereas 12 months ago, they were dropping them onto the ground.
“Word goes around and people become more receptive, we don’t see too many repeat offenders.”
Xfor officers patrol locations with a history of environmental problems at busy times – for example the early morning and evening when dog walkers are out.
They work in pairs so they can corroborate each other’s accounts of events and for their own safety.
Locals would be able to apply to join the team as paid officers once a recruitment campaign is launched.
All officers undergo training in law, conflict management, the procedure of issuing fines through a course led by the former head of environmental enforcement at Birmingham City Council.
Mr Fisher said Xfor would create a “bespoke service” for Basildon Council, by targeting the problem locations the authority identifies.
He said: “It’s very much a partnership in that we’re there to provide another arm to the local authority.
“It’s intelligence-led so we patrol where our clients want us to and we work in partnership – we’re not there to replace anybody.
“There’s no stealth or subterfuge, our patrols will be visible.”
By targeting some aspects of street cleansing, Xfor allows council staff to focus on tackling other environmental problems, such as graffiti or fly-tipping.
Xfor handed out 600 fines in the Welsh Valleys district of Blaenau Gwent over the past three months, but Mr Fisher said the amount issued in areas differs based on population and demographics.
Xfor takes a cut of the fines but isn’t paid by the council.
Basildon Council was due to decide whether to contract Xfor, to work alongside its own enforcement officers last night.