LITTER louts, vandals and irresponsible pet owners are set to face a squad of officers with new fixed penalty powers.

Guilty individuals will be issued fines of £75 to £300 for 12 street offences.

South Lakeland District Council has trained 25 police community support officers (PCSOs) and enforcement officers to deliver the hefty financial slaps on the wrist.

The crackdown comes after a four-year period in which only three fixed penalty notices were issued in South Lakeland.

Kendal police sergeant Ken Jewell said fixed penalties were a good way to enable officers to keep their community free of fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour.

“Many people who live in South Lakeland say to us that litter, dog fouling and other forms of anti-social behaviour are high on their list of concerns.”

Complaints from people and community groups will also be logged so ‘hotspots’ for bad behaviour can be identified.

Rob Kitchen, the council street care client manager, said people would be warned before being fined.

“If someone drops litter, for example, they will only be issued with a fixed penalty notice if they refuse to pick it up when told to do so by an officer. The idea is that of the 100 per cent effort against this sort of anti-social behaviour, 80 per cent will be carrot and 20 per cent stick.”

Residents and visitors had strong opinions, both for and against the fines.

Josie Clarkson, of Kendal, questioned whether the charges were sensible, given that some littering in the town was carried out by school pupils.

“I live by Kirkbie Kendal School and often see children dropping litter – it’s everywhere. You can’t charge them £300.

“It’s hypocritical to charge people when there don’t seem to be enough bins around.”

Tourist Geoff Wilson, of Sunderland, who was visiting Kendal, support-ed SLDC’s clampdown.

“It’s time people in the UK said ‘no’ to bad street behaviour — especially things like graffiti which destroy beautiful places.”

Brenda McIntee, of Kendal, also thought fines were an excellent way to deter litterers, although she felt prices were steep.