Crackdown on littering in Vale of Glamorgan hospitals (From Barry And District News)

Crackdown on littering in Vale of Glamorgan hospitals

11:10am Monday 18th March 2013 in News

MORE than 100 people have been fined as part of a campaign to tackle litter on health sites across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.

Most of the £75 on the spot fines were issued for dropping cigarette butts.

Last month Cardiff and Vale University Health Board signed agreements to allow enforcement officers from Cardiff Council and those used by the Vale of Glamorgan Council onto health sites across the two counties.

Sharon Hopkins, director of Public Health for the board, said: “The response to the initiative has been positive with staff and the public supportive of a tough stance being taken against the small number of people who drop cigarette butts and other litter on our sites.

“As well as helping to keep our sites clean the enforcement officers have also been providing contact information for our smoking cessation service and Stop Smoking Wales to support staff, visitors and patients to quit, save money and improve their health.

“Since enforcement officers were allowed on to health board sites from February 21, they have spoken with hundreds of people, handed out more than 300 portable ‘stubbie’ ashtrays and issued around 100 on the spot fines.

Peter Welsh, the general manager at University Hospital Llandough, said: “I’m pleased to say that most people respect their hospital and don’t drop litter but unfortunately the few that do spoil the environment for everyone.

The feedback from staff and the public has been very good.

“There is still a lot of work to do but the message that you can’t drop litter on our sites without expensive consequences is now being heard.”

The enforcement officers use existing legislation to issue and enforce the law on dropping litter, which can be anything from discarded coffee cups or crisp packets to chewing gum or cigarette butts. Those who break the law can be issued with an on the spot fixed penalty £75 fine. Failure to pay the fine is an offence and can lead to a court appearance and a fine of up to £2,500.

For more details visit on how the enforcement officers work visit the Vale of Glamorgan Council website.