Unknown to many beachgoers, a handful of illegal activities lurk beneath the waves of enjoyment, carrying hefty fines of up to £2,500.
UK households visiting beaches in England face being hit with £2,500 fine
UK households at beaches in England risk a staggering £2,500 fine this summer. Unknown to many beachgoers, a handful of illegal activities lurk beneath the waves of enjoyment, carrying hefty fines of up to £2,500.
Parliament UK explains: “Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 makes dropping litter a criminal offence subject to a fine of up to £2,500 on summary conviction in court.”
Keep Britain Tidy adds: “Dropping litter is illegal. People who drop litter can be fined or face prosecution in court. Authorised officers have the power to issue a fixed penalty charge of up to £150 for a litter offence, as an alternative to prosecution.
READ MORE State pensioners being handed 7 benefits on top of pension worth £24,125
“If the offender is prosecuted and convicted in court, the fine could rise to £2,500.”
John Roberts, Chief Services Officer of Kingdom LAS, warned: “There needs to be a cultural change to litter. It has often been described as a civil offence – but it is not. If a person is found to be littering, they could face a fine of up to £2500. This is a criminal offence.”
Experts from Wheeldon Brothers urged: “As responsible beachgoers, it’s crucial to remember that dropping litter not only spoils the beauty of our shores but also poses a direct threat to fish.
“By ensuring we take our rubbish home with us, we can play our part in preserving our beaches for future generations.
“Brits seem to forget that people who drop litter/leave a lot of waste can face prosecution in court or fines of up to £2,500 if found guilty.”
Mr Roberts added: “People litter for a variety of reasons, such as not properly understanding the impact it has on the environment, not caring to properly carry away their waste and dispose of it properly, and many people may think that a cigarette butt is too small to impact our beaches and marine life.
“But the impact the millions of pieces of litter – whether big or small – has on our beaches and ocean is immense.
“If you are going to the beach this summer, it is your responsibility to take your rubbish away from the beach and dispose of it properly.
“If not, you won’t just be harming the environment, but you could get slapped with a fixed penalty notice of up to £150.”