More private courts
As the local authority enforcement teams upgrade their skills then more prosecutions of fly tippers and others illegally dumping waste will be brought to the courts across the region. The Lancashire Magistrates' Courts Committee have been made aware of the forthcoming increase in this type of work.
Some local authority solicitors have prosecuted this type of case and others haven't. Some solicitors have taken the opportunity of attending the enforcement training courses their colleague enforcement officers have been on where they have all learnt a great deal about their new powers. The aim of both the Enforcement Officers and their solicitors is to significantly reduce the amount of fly tipping, fly posting, dog fouling and graffiti in their authority's area. The Government's aim is to give the local authorities all the necessary powers to achieve this.
Only time will tell if the powers are sufficient.
The other pages in this section describe the role of Magistrates and the workings of a Magistrates' Court. Enviro crime was discussed and reported on by the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee in May 2004 and again in July 2004.