Sights set on slashing Littlehampton’s littering woes

The group will be kicking-off its latest Cleaner Streets campaign at the end of this month.

It aims to cut littering and dog fouling on the streets around the town by raising awareness of the problem.

And for the first time, the association will be setting its sights on drivers who throw junk from their vehicles, which the watch’s chairman, Mike Cullern, says is a ‘growing problem’.

Mike said: “In 2014, we received tremendous support from local businesses and residents alike in the areas we targeted, and during the nine months the campaign ran for there was a marked improvement in the amount of dog litter being placed in bins.”

The effort has been welcomed by Sussex Police, which is once again offering its support to the campaigners.

The force will be assisting by distributing posters across the town and patrolling, where possible, hot spot areas for both dog fouling and littering.

Sergeant Anna Gent, of Littlehampton’s neighbour-hood policing team, said “People who fail to clean up after their dog and those who drop litter into the street commit criminal offences for which they can, and will, be prosecuted. There is no need for this lazy and anti-social behaviour, and Sussex Police will assist the campaign being led by Neighbourhood Watch.”

The watch will be using biodegradable spray paint to highlight dog waste on the streets – literally – as well as offering free bags to dispose of dog excrement in.

The campaign is being welcomed by councillor Paul Dendle, cabinet member for leisure and amenities at Arun District Council, who said: “I wholeheartedly support these kind of initiatives which help keep Littlehampton clean and tidy.

“Members of the council’s cleansing team have provided some useful tools and equipment to assist Littlehampton Neigh-bourhood Watch with their endeavours. There is plenty of evidence to suggest the cleaner and more attractive a place will help with other aspects of regeneration. I wish the Neighbourhood Watch well with their campaign.”

The group is looking for more sponsors to help finance the campaign: email [email protected]