Fixed penalty notices/fines

Issuing of fixed penalty notices/fines for littering or unauthorised waste

We issue fixed penalty notices to both individuals and businesses who are responsible for leaving litter or other waste in public areas.
We issue £75 fixed penalty notices, commonly known as fines, to anyone caught littering or £50 for leaving dog mess in public. The Magistrate's Court can also issue fines of up to £2,500 for the more serious crimes.

What is a fixed penalty notice?

A fixed penalty notice is a fine. If a council officer believes that you have committed a littering offence she or he may decide to prosecute you for the offence. Alternatively she or he may issue you with a fixed penalty notice. Once you have paid the fixed penalty notice, the council cannot prosecute you for the offence.

Why have I been issued with a fixed penalty notice?

You have been issued with a fixed penalty notice because you, or your business, has been identified as being responsible for litter or waste left in a public area.

Make sure you dispose of your waste lawfully - that means putting your litter in a bin and not dropping it in the street. If you are in charge of a business, you have a duty to make sure your waste is disposed of legally. You must also make sure that your waste is under your control at all times, so it can't be blown away by the wind, or moved by accident.

What powers does the council have to inspect my waste?

The public highway is maintained by Southwark Council and we have the power to inspect waste in our jurisdiction in order to enforce the law.

What does the law say about littering?

The Environmental Protection Act 1990 (the Act) gives local authorities powers to enforce the law against littering:

• Section 87 of the Act says that a person is guilty of an offence if they throw down, drop or otherwise deposit or leave any litter in any place
• Section 88 of the Act states that an authorised officer, eg Southwark enforcement officer, may give a fixed penalty notice of £75, or £50 if paid within 10 days, to any person who has committed an offence under Section 87 of the Act.

View the Environmental Protection Act 1990 on the HMSO website

Can I contest my Fixed Penalty Notice?

An officer will ensure that there is evidence of an offence before issuing a fixed penalty notice. We will review your case if you feel a mistake has been made, however, and only in exceptional cases will a penalty can be cancelled.

If you wish to seek a review of your case, you need to write a letter within 2 weeks of the fine being issued. Please quote the fixed penalty notice number , located in the top right  hand corner of the notice, and send it to:

Team Leader,
Environmental Enforcement,
Castlemead,
232 Camberwell Road,
SE5 0EU

When do I have to pay the fixed penalty notice?

You must pay the £75 fine within 14 days of receiving the fixed penalty notice, or £50 with the early payment discount, if you pay within 10 days. If you are sending a letter seeking a review, do not pay the fixed penalty notice until you have received a final decision letter from us.

What happens if I do not pay the fixed penalty notice?

We may start court proceedings and you may be liable for a fine of £2,500 for failing to pay the fixed penalty notice.

How do I make a payment?

By cheque or postal order:

1. Make it payable to the London Borough of Southwark. 
2. Write the fixed penalty notice number on the back of it. 
3. Send it to Team Leader, Environmental Enforcement, Castlemead, 232 Camberwell Road, SE5 0EU

By cash 

Please ensure that you bring a copy of the fixed penalty notice with you when making a payment.

You can pay by cash at one of the following two locations:

1. At Peckham Cash Office, 19/23 Bournemouth Road, Peckham, SE15 between 8.30am and 4.45pm, Monday to Friday or between 8.30am and 2.45pm on Saturdays.
2. At Walworth Cash Office, 177/179 Walworth Road, SE17 between 8.30am and 4.45pm, Monday to Friday or between 8.30am and 2.45pm on Saturdays.

I you pay at Peckham or Walworth Cash Offices, you will be issued with a receipt for your payment. You must then:

1. Write the fixed penalty notice No. on the receipt.
2. Send a copy of the receipt Team Leader, Environmental Enforcement, Castlemead, 232 Camberwell Road, SE5 0EU

By debit/credit card

Phone the Enforcement Section on 0207 525 5762/3 between 9am and 9pm, Monday to Sunday, and ask the Duty Support Services Officer how to pay via the 24-hour automated debit / credit card telephone payment line.  

You will be provided with a reference number and a telephone number that you can dial to make payment (so have a pen and paper handy when you call). We retain the reference number that we have issued to you, so that we can track whether or not you actually then make payment via this method. A decision will be made and we will write back to you within ten days of receiving your letter. If you are successful you will not be required to pay the fixed penalty notice. If you are unsuccessful you must pay the fine immediately.