It has been revealed that Leeds City Council has dished out a fifth fewer fines for littering in 2020, compared to the year previous.
The figures - which have been revealed as part of InYourArea.co.uk’s 'Don't Trash Our Future' campaign launched last summer that aims to address the epidemic of littering in the UK - show that the council has issued a total of 2,331 fines last year.
This is compared to 2,958 fines handed out the year before.
A survey conducted of more than 7,500 people then also found that 85% saw litter as a big or major issue in their area, and almost two-thirds (64%) thought that the levels got worse as lockdown restriction eased.
Littering is a criminal offence, which carries a maximum fine of £2,500 and can be tried in a magistrates' court, but councils often instead issue £100 fines with discounts for paying quickly, instead of taking people to court.
Failure to pay can lead to prosecution.
John Read - Founder of Clean Up Britain - said that "serious fines and serious enforcement" are needed to tackle littering across the country - but Leeds social entrepreneur Rob Greenland thinks a long-term cultural shift is needed instead to ensure people take pride in the city's green spaces.
Mr Read said that £100 fines are "pathetic" and added that: "Councils need to understand that only behavioural change will resolve Britain's litter epidemic.
"A £100 fine, reduced to £50 if paid in 14 days, is not going to change anyone's behaviour.
"If local areas are to stop being litter-ridden - which most are - then we need serious fines and serious enforcement in this country.
But Mr Greenland argued that enforcement of littering laws should be a last resort, and said he'd be worried to see more fines handed out, stating: "I would have a bit of a concern that teenagers in skate parks are getting fined rather than a group of middle-class mums and dads having a picnic".
He continued: "The only way you can tackle this is if you get people who have pride in a place, then those who might see a lot of people who care about a place and think ‘I shouldn’t drop litter’.
"A lot of parks have got ‘friends of’ groups that are really active [and] there’s Litter Free Leeds who are picking litter all the time.
"But that’s a longer term cultural shift."
A Leeds City Council spokesperson said service disruptions caused by lockdowns, as well as lower footfall in usually-busy areas, should be taken into account when comparing yearly figures, and added that while the council aims to provide "more normal levels of litter clearance and prevention", COVID restrictions mean that services may still be limited.
The spokesperson said: "Local community litter picking is also a growing resource in the city with Litter Free Leeds ‘Womble’ groups doing more and more to tackle litter in local neighbourhoods,
"We continue to take a zero tolerance policy to littering in Leeds [and] the issuing of fines is one of the many tools that we use to tackle littering in the city.
"We believe the best way to tackle the issue of littering is to engage positively and constructively with people of all ages to ensure people understand their responsibilities in relation to litter and waste and that sustainable behaviour change remains a priority [but] unfortunately, there are some people who will ignore these type of messages and continue to litter.
"Therefore we are committed to using our full range of legal enforcement powers to tackle such waste and litter crimes."
David Renard - Environment Spokesperson for the Local Government Association - added that councils "work hard" to keep public spaces clean, but the pandemic has "undoubtedly" impacted the number of fines handed out.
"Responsibility for clearing up litter lies with the person dropping it or leaving it behind," he said.
"The COVID-19 lockdown restrictions over the past year will have undoubtedly impacted the number of these handed out [and] each council has to decide the best way to tackle litter in their individual communities.
"But whilst we recognise that responses have to be proportionate, measures must be robust enough to tackle abuse of the local environment".
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What is going to be included in the UK’s planned under-16s social media ban?
In case you missed the landmark announcement yesterday, it has been confirmed that social media is to be banned for under-16s in the UK.
That’s right – in what is said to be a bid to ‘give kids their childhood back’ and set ‘a new normal’ for future generations by kickstarting a cultural shift, the Government has announced that social media platforms will be banned from offering their services to under-16s – meaning less time for scrolling and more time for play.
The Government says it plans to use the same model for a social media ban as Australia, which was introduced back in 2024.
But what exactly does that mean? And what social media platforms are set to be included within the upcoming ban and which ones aren’t?
Well, according to the Government and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, the UK’s ban would capture user-to-user platforms, whose purpose is to enable social interaction, allow users to post their own material, alongside algorithms.
The Government has announced a social media ban for under 16s / Credit: Julian Christ (via Unsplash)
The ban will, therefore, include popular social media platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X.
But crucially, at this time, it is not intended for messaging services like WhatsApp to be included.
The Government says it is also planning to go even further than any other country, as on top of a blanket ban on social media, world-leading blocks on harmful functions – such as livestreaming and stranger communication with children – will also be blocked for under-16s, and will apply to a wider range of online services, including on gaming sites.
Restrictions on these functionalities will also be on by default for 16- and 17-year-olds to prevent what ministers are calling a ‘cliff-edge’ at 16.
And to go even further, the Government says it will be ‘looking in more detail’ at the potential to introduce overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling for those under 18 – with more information to be provided on this next month.
“This is a decisive first step which marks a clear choice to put children’s wellbeing first and give them a healthy life online,” the Government said in a statement. “We stand ready to take further measures in the future.”
Speaking on the upcoming ban and further restrictions, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Parents want to keep their kids safe and happy, but the online world has made that harder than ever.
“I’ve heard first hand from families crying out for change and we will do right by them.
“That’s why we’re going further than any country in the world by banning social media for under-16s and putting wider protections in place to give kids their childhood back.
“This is a line in the sand. Tech giants had their chance and failed, but we’re stepping in to protect children, back parents and set a new normal for future generations.”
Five of the BEST places in Sheffield to watch the World Cup
Thomas Melia
Whether it's coming home or not, we've rounded up five of the best pubs, bars and cultural hubs in our home for you to watch the World Cup.
After getting eliminated in the quarter-final four years ago at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the England team are back with a vengeance as they gear up for the 2026 World Cup across USA, Canada and Mexico.
Just like every football tournament, there's always high hopes for our lads, and rightly so as this team has won once, placed fourth twice and reached the quarter-final stage a whopping 7 times.
This time round, the football frenzy is kicking off right in the middle of the British Summertime, and weather-depending we'll be enjoying a crisp pint or two with the sun beaming on us.
Failing that, we're sure there's plenty of indoor room at these five Sheffield spots where we can comfortably watch the match, and maybe grab a bite to eat too.
Where are some of the best places to watch the World Cup in Sheffield?
Riverside
Images: The Sheff
Self-appointed 'Friendly local pub' Riverside is located in Kelham Island and is hosting matches throughout the pub and to ensure everyone gets a good seat, they're showing England games in their function room and courtyard too.
It's no surprise that this notable South Yorkshire watering hole is screening as many football games as they can, as it's recognised for hosting all sorts of activites including a Cowgirls and Cocktails night recently with painting, limbo and drinks.
Known for its iconic neon sign which adorns the side wall of the pub that overlooks its accompanying beer garden, this Sheffield pub is encouraging footy lovers to make bookings to avoid disappointment, although walk-ins where possible will be welcomed.
Cambridge Street Collective
Images: The Sheff
If you didn't know already, Cambridge Street Collective is Europe's largest purpose-built food hall with a variety of bars and some seriously tasty scran being served up by 20 diverse kitchens.
In case that wasn't enough to tempt you, it's launching some deals just in time for this football celebration with £10 entry securing you a nice seat and a pint valued up to £7.
There's even £5 Pravha an hour before England match kick-offs, live DJs to give the space a more fan zone-esque feel as well as a retro footy shirt pop-up on Sunday 14 June from 12pm to 4.30pm.
Kapital
Images: The Sheff
This 'promised land of European drinking and dining' is obviously getting involved in all the World Cup action with free entry and no bookings required.
This booze-filled institution is even giving away free pints of Paulaner for you to enjoy during England's first match against Croatia through the link in their bio.
After a beer? There's definitely no short supply as you can grab a one litre stein. Prefer a cocktail? You're in luck as this Sheffield pub is pouring frozen margs too.
Also joining in on the generosity with a giveaway is Neepsend Social, who are offering a free pint for you and a mate during any of the upcoming World Cup matches.
Although not much is listed about their plans for the World Cup, considering this social club is always running a variety of events, it's more than likely they're getting involved in showing the footy.
This venue is walk-in only and dog friendly, meaning you really can bring everyone you know including your friend's nan's dog - pawfect.
BOX Sheffield
Images: The Sheff
This designated sports bar is obviously making the most of the World Cup celebrations, even hosting an orchestra take-over at their London Piccadilly location playing iconic anthems.
All their sites across the UK are getting booked up fast, so if you're after watching England with a few pals here, it's better to get this booked sooner rather than later.
Not in the mood for football but still up for a party? Their Sheffield location has a couple of karaoke pods available to hire too - We're sure 'Three Lions' will be on the playlist regardless.
The Hoot -
6th April 2021 
