LITTER and dog-fouling patrols could be coming to a borough to catch people in the act.

Bosses at Rossendale Council will consider whether to work with private company District Enforcement to crackdown on littering, flytipping and dog fouling in the area.

If approved during the council’s cabinet meeting next week, Rossendale would become the latest borough in East Lancashire to introduce litter crackdown campaigns following the councils in Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley and Hyndburn.

Rossendale Council bosses have said they are committed to providing a “clean and green” borough and this includes reducing the incidents of environmental crime.

Cllr Jacqueline Oakes, portfolio holder for operations, says the council would be targeting ‘irresponsible’ people who fail to clear up their litter or dog mess.

The Labour councillor said: “Dropping litter, flytipping and dog fouling blights local communities and it costs council taxpayers’ money to clear up after those who are responsible.

“We already have the power to issue fixed penalty notices for these offences but unfortunately we just do not have the capacity to carry out patrols as often as we would like.

“Private enforcement officers have been used in other areas and we hope that having them on our streets and in our parks, day in and day out, will deter irresponsible people.

“It is part of a series of measures we are considering to help make the borough a cleaner, greener and more pleasant place for everyone to enjoy.”

The council wants to bring in the private firm for a 12-month trial and people who ignore notices would be at risk of receiving on-the-spot fines and court action.

Two dedicated officers would patrol streets and parks seven days a week, targeting hot-spots identified by the council. Additional patrols would be brought in if necessary.

The council has said the move would not cost council taxpayers any money as the proposed service model would see District Enforcement retaining any income from the fixed penalty notices it issues. The cost of each fine has yet to be revealed.

Enforcement officers would also be able to issue fines for duty of care offences, where people use unlicensed companies to dispose of their waste illegally.

The proposal will go to cabinet meeting at Futures Park, Bacup, on Wednesday.