ANYONE caught dropping chewing gum or a cigarette butt in Fenland could face a £75 on-the-spot fine after new powers were adopted yesterday by Fenland District Council. The tough new laws form part of the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005 and F

ANYONE caught dropping chewing gum or a cigarette butt in Fenland could face a £75 on-the-spot fine after new powers were adopted yesterday by Fenland District Council.

The tough new laws form part of the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005 and Fenland councillors say the increased powers will "protect the local environment and tackle minor street crimes".

The new powers extend the offences for which fixed penalty notices can be issued, said a report to the council's cabinet.

Graeme Carson, the council's environmental protection manager, says the new power is recognition of the need nationally to get to grips with the issue, which is seen as such a major contribution to the fear of crime.

"The new powers are designed to make streets clean, safer and greener," he said

Mr Carson believes fixed penalty notices act as an alternative to prosecution, and are an "effective and high profile way of dealing with low level environmental crime and are likely to be supported by the public, provided they are enforced sensibly and are seen as a balanced response to genuine anti-social problems".

He added: "Enforcement is only one part of our work that grabs the headlines, but this is just part of the total picture. These additional powers are integral to our developing prevention, intervention and enforcement agenda.

"We're also looking to work with local businesses, to understand their concerns and gain their support to target problem areas.

"We have been working hard to stop anti-social behaviour and enviro-crime work in schools and with community groups to persuade people to be responsible citizens.