GLOBE readers have backed a new campaign which sees litter bugs given 'on the spot' fines.

Wirral Council's 'zero tolerance' crackdown came into force on Wednesday, with 78 people fined £80 for dropping litter on the first day.

The authority has hired national agency Kingdom Ltd to provide enforcement action, with patrols using high-tech methods including body cameras to gather evidence.

But what do our readers think?

Are on the on-the-spot fines a good idea?

Is the price too much to pay?

The Globe went into Birkenhead to gauge readers' views on the issue.

Angela Kimberley, 39, from Rock Ferry, agrees that a zero-tolerance approach is needed to tackle the litter problem.

Wirral Globe:

Angela Kimberley

She said "It will stop people from throwing their litter on the floor and walking off.

"I always tell my children to pick up their rubbish.

"I saw a woman in Bromborough get fined £140 the other day for dropping a cigarette.

"Give people a fine, but don't make it too much.

"The council are making a lot of money from the people they fine, but where's that money going?

"It should be going into the community."

Mark Davey, 45, a stall holder at Birkenhead Market, said: "I agree that people should be fined for dropping litter.

"I always say to my kids that if they see a bin put their rubbish in it. It doesn't take much to walk to a bin.

"You get a lot of that in the market, with people dropping litter and walking off.

"If people come to a place and see rubbish lying around it creates a bad impression and visitors may say "I'm not coming back here.

"A zero tolerance approach is the best way of tackling the problem."

Wirral Globe:

Mark Davey

Paul Francis, 44, from Birkenhead said: "It's an expensive fine but, at the same time, people shouldn't be throwing litter.

"They should be given a warning first time and fined if they are caught again."

Wirral Globe:

Paul Francis

Sheila Dickin, 68, from Prenton said: "I think on-the-spot fines are right, because litter lowers the tone of the neighbourhood.

"Everyone has pockets, so put your rubbish in them until you get to a bin."

Wirral Globe:

Sheila Dickin

Kirsty Mills, 27, a carer from Beechwood, believes education is the best way to tackle the problem of litter.

"It's important to teach children the importance of not dropping litter when they are at school.

"It keeps the place clean and I say always tell my kids not to throw it on the floor."

Wirral Globe:

Kirsty Mills

Student Connor Dunphy from Wallasey agrees with fining but feels the penalty is "a bit steep".

The 19-year-old from Wallasey continued: "I'm studying to be a park ranger at college, so I pick up rubbish all the time.

"I agree that people is right, but maybe £60 would be better than £80."

Below: Connor Dunphy

 

Wirral Globe: