Clean up or pay up is the message Dover District Council (DDC) is sending to residents who persistently litter and leave dog mess in the district’s streets.

The council’s Environmental Enforcement Officers issued 70 fixed penalty notices from September to December last year.

The officers are patrolling the district seven days a week and have powers to issue penalties of £50 for littering or a steeper amount of £75 for dog fouling.

DDC is looking to increase this amount to a maximum of £80 later on this year.

The environmental enforcement team works closely with schools, town and parish councils to remain aware of these issues.

Cllr Nicholas Kenton, DDC cabinet member for environment said: “We are very pleased at the success of the new Enforcement Officers.

“We are working with all our partners to continue to improve the environment, and the message is that we are clamping down on environmental crime, so pick up after your dog, and don’t drop litter.”

For more information, or to report a problem area, call: 01304 872428.