Enforcement officers fined more than 100 people for littering, cycling and dog control offences in just two weeks since patrols restarted after the lockdown.
Patrols stopped when the lockdown started in March but resumed on 16 June as more premises reopened.
In recent weeks, people have noticed an increase in littering being left across the borough, particularly in parks and Cleethorpes beach.
This has included glass bottles, cans, wet wipes, leftover picnics, takeaway wrappings, used barbecues and nappies.
There are more than 800 litter bins in the area, including 50 along Central Promenade in Cleethorpes, so there is no need to drop litter.
Fines Issued between 16 and 30 June:
- Litter 29
- Litter from vehicle 27
- No Cycling 48
- Dog fouling and dogs on beach 10
- Total 114.
Officers are patrolling busy areas including Cleethorpes beachfront and Grimsby town centre, as well as the area’s popular parks.
They will give fixed penalty tickets for littering, cycling and dog control offences, as well as for smoking in commercial vehicles.
Dog owners are reminded that no dogs are allowed on the beach between Wonderland and Cleethorpes Leisure Centre between Good Friday and 30 September.
Cllr Ron Shepherd, cabinet member for Safer and Stronger Communities at North East Lincolnshire Council, said:
“We’ve seen a surge in littering up and down the country since the easing of some of the coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
“Most people respect the environment, but locally we’ve seen an increase in people messing up the parks and the beach.
“Who would have thought that forgetting how to use a bin or pick up after a dog would be a knock-on effect of the coronavirus lockdown?
“Littering makes the place look a mess, it’s harmful to wildlife and the environment. If a bin is full, take your rubbish home.”
Officers from Local Authority Support carry out patrols and gather evidence which is passed on to Doncaster Council who issue the fines on behalf of North East Lincolnshire Council.
Private patrols were introduced in November 2017 after a wide-ranging public consultation. People said they wanted to see more enforcement against those who litter and don’t pick up after their dogs.
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