Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council has called in enviro-crime enforcement specialists to help tackle littering and fly-tipping.

The council has partnered with District Enforcement Limited, to implement a strict, zero tolerance approach to the issue.

From Monday, September 23, District Enforcement will be patrolling the borough, and will be able to issue Fixed Penalty Notices of up to £150 for littering, and up to £500 for fly-tipping.

They also have the powers to act against residents and businesses failing to manage their waste properly.

Those who do not pay the Fixed Penalty Notice will be subject to court action.

There will be patrols through the borough as part of efforts to tackle littering.There will be patrols through the borough as part of efforts to tackle littering. (Image: Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council)

The new, uniformed team will proactively patrol all areas of the borough, including both town centres, parks and open space and streets.

"One of the council’s key priorities is to take pride in our environment and take action to create a cleaner, greener borough," said Cllr Sandreni Bonfante, executive member for environment.

"Sadly, a small minority of people continue to drop litter, fly tip and spoil our surroundings through poor waste management. We will therefore be taking a zero-tolerance approach to tackle this behaviour.

"We recently launched our town centre and nicer neighbourhood task forces, and this is a great initiative to demonstrate the joint administration’s commitment to making positive change in our community."