STREETS
Calling traders –
old and new
The council currently has 125 pitches across
the borough but is looking to expand the
number available and is also reviewing its
current street traders.
If you are looking for a new pitch, you can
apply for a licence by contacting the council
at [email protected] with details
of the kind of pitch you would like, the
type of goods you would like to sell, and
your preferred location. Someone will get
back to you and, assuming you qualify for a
licence, will then work with you to find the
most suitable pitch.
Meanwhile, if you are a trader with
an existing licence and want to check
the conditions, you can call
020 8825 6000 (Mon-Fri, 9am-4.30pm) or
email [email protected]
the council to tackle a variety of ‘envirocrimes’ –
from spitting or littering to fly-tipping. Something
particularly high on the officers’ hit list at the
moment is illegal street trading.
In August and September, the patrols issued a
total of 124 fixed penalty notices to unlicensed
traders – which meant the perpetrators were
fined and forced to cease their illegal activity or
risk further legal action.
In fact, the council has the authority to refuse or
revoke existing licences if strict conditions are not
met – or if there is a risk to pedestrian safety.
The patrols also work with trading standards
and police and alert them if they believe someone
is trying to sell dangerous or counterfeit goods.
You can report a suspected illegal street trader
online at www.ealing.gov.uk/reportit
Keep it clean
T
he council has been taking a tough stance against
littering, spitting and dog-fouling.
Hundreds of people have been caught and
issued with on-the-spot fixed penalty notices
(effectively ‘fines’) of £80 since the council’s environmental
enforcement contractor, Kingdom Security, started patrolling
the streets last year.
The team members each wear a body camera to record
evidence and their interactions with the public. Those
people caught littering, spitting or their dogs fouling the
streets are initially handed a fixed penalty notice of £80, the
maximum penalty for this type of offence. Most admit their
guilt and pay-up immediately. However, those who fail to
pay face court action and a possible criminal record.
Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for
transport, environment and leisure, said: “Everyone has a
part to play in helping to keep our streets clean and there is
no excuse for dropping litter or cigarette butts, or spitting.
For most people, getting an £80 fixed penalty notice is
exactly the wake-up call they need to stop this dirty and
selfish habit and the fact that most are paid quickly and
without dispute shows they accept they were in the wrong.”
In August, the council successfully prosecuted 35 people
who had failed, or refused, to pay the fine. They all ended
up in court and, with one exception, each was landed with
a higher fine of £530, including the court costs, and also
received a criminal record.
“We are prepared to use our full legal powers to keep the
streets clean,” said Councillor Mahfouz. “It’s much easier to
simply put rubbish in the bin in the first place.”
Report littering or dog fouling at
www.ealing.gov.uk/reportit
around ealing
Winter 2016/17
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