Call for on-the-spot fines for litter louts who are making our district’s beauty spots an eyesore

A councillor is calling for litter louts who make the district’s beauty spots an eyesore to be hit with on-the-spot fines, saying the public are at their “wit’s end” over the issue.

Wakefield West ward councillor, Michael Graham, spoke out after the recent gatherings of young people at Pugneys during the hot spell of weather.

It was described by one witness as being “like Ibiza” as hundreds partied and drank, leaving behind huge amount of cans, bottles and food wrappers.

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Coun Graham pulled no punches, and said: “I think the public are at their wit’s end with selfish and ignorant individuals who continue to dump their rubbish and expect someone else to clean it up.

Coun Michael Graham, Wakefield Council.Coun Michael Graham, Wakefield Council.
Coun Michael Graham, Wakefield Council.

“For most people, the importance of putting your litter in the bin is drummed into them from a very early age. The people who are doing this just don’t give a damn.”

The bins at the parks struggled to cope with the amount of rubbish and many were left overflowing, but Coun Graham says it is still no excuse.

He says wardens need to patrol the areas and be given powers to issue on-the-spot fines.

He added: “It’s the only way some people will learn.

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“Do we really want our district’s parks and nature reserves to be covered with giant bins? Installing more bins is not going to change the behaviour of someone who thinks this is acceptable, it just isn’t.

“It astounds me that people are able to carry food and drink all the way to Pugneys in a plastic bag but they can’t fill that same bag with their rubbish and take it away with them.”

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