THE City Council's team of litter-busters are cleaning-up, with over £80,000 of fines slapped on litter-slobs in just over three months.
"The vast majority of local residents and visitors to Manchester don't want to see our city being used as a rubbish dump"
The dedicated team of officers - including Traffic Wardens and 25 PCSOs - patrol city centre streets seven days a week and have the power to hand out on-the-spot-fines of £80.
Since the team began in November 2014 they've caught over 1000 offenders dropping mostly cigarette butts, food wrappers and drinks containers, amongst other items.
While most of the notices have been issued on Market Street, High Street and Piccadilly Gardens, the team have been operating across the whole of the city centre.
The Traffic Warden-cum-Litter Busters
Cllr Bernard Priest, deputy leader of the council, said: "While litter bugs are in the minority, unfortunately there are still some selfish individuals whose behaviour is a blight on the city centre. The on-the-spot fines handed out make these litter louts take notice and realise that they will not be tolerated.
"The vast majority of local residents and visitors to Manchester don't want to see our city being used as a rubbish dump. Working together with local residents, visitors and businesses- we can achieve a cleaner better city."
The litter-busting team is the latest move in a litter crackdown organised by Manchester City Council in response to concerns from residents about the problem.
In September 2013 they announced a £14.5m city clean-up fund - made possible by a nifty airport dividend.
In December 2013 they released 'gum blasters' onto the city centre streets to jetwash 90,000 square metres of pavement with around 10,000 litres of water.
New Bins
In March 2014 the council announced they would be offering £200 grants to volunteers willing to help clean the streets.
And in June 2014 they spent £500,000 on 600 new bins for the city centre.
Anti-litter advertising slogans have also been placed on paving slabs – thought to be a first for a British city.
Now, let's get that city centre bin-emptying schedule sorted shall we?
