A waste of loo roll - or public money down the pan?

Published by webmaster for Chesterfield Borough Council in Communities

Young litter louts have come under fire after turning Chesterfield's main town centre gardens into a dumping ground.

They left rubbish strewn around Shentall Memorial Gardens in front of the Town Hall - and hurled toilet rolls into a tree to create unsightly improvised bunting.

Government regulations mean that under-16s cannot be served fixed penalty fines for littering  - so the Borough Council has appealed to the litter bugs themselves to "come clean".

"Litter has been a major problem in Shentall Gardens since the start of the school holidays", said Environmental Services pollution control officer, Sherri Stock.

"The kids think it is fun but they've got to realise it damages the town. What they no doubt see as summer holiday high jinks, others rightly see as blatant defacement of the town's memorial gardens.

"The warm summer weather has made the area a popular hang-out but the irresponsible acts of damage and graffiti to the war memorial, vandalism and litter, including broken glass, threaten to ruin the gardens."

The gardens have also become the venue for further examples of anti-social behaviour, attracting groups of illegal drinkers - even though it is an Alcohol-free Zone - and damage to the disused Courthouse, which was hit this week by a fire believed to have been started deliberately.

SpirePride technicians Adrian Harcourt and Robert Facer are the men at the sharp end, who have to remove the rubbish left behind every day.

"People treat it like a beer garden then leave all the rubbish for us to pick up next day. It's a never-ending job and it is a shame that people leave such a mess."

Cllr Keith Morgan, the Borough's Lead Member for Environmental Services, said: "The Council has received calls from worried residents who feel that people who show such blatant disrespect may be capable of more serious and even violent crimes.

"Chesterfield is proud of our parks and open spaces but this constant abuse is causing us a real headache.
"All damage has to be paid for and this destruction and littering has to come out of the public purse. And what is it doing to the image of Chesterfield, a beautiful town where we take pride in our clean streets and attractive public areas?"

But justice could be about to catch up with the culprits - a CCTV camera has been installed within the last few days overlooking the gardens and the police have been informed of the Council's concerns.

ENDS

Press release issued: August 23, 2006