Consultation on Spitting Enforcement- Ends Friday!

Anyone caught spitting or urinating in public in Bedford Borough could soon face a £75 fine.

A public consultation is now underway to find out if people are concerned about spitting and urinating on public surfaces, roads, pavements and streets in Bedford Borough. If approved, anyone caught doing so by authorised council officers would be issued with a £75 on the spot Fixed Penalty Notice, in line with the punishment to those caught littering.

Lib Dem Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said: "Spitting and urinating on public surfaces, roads, pavements and streets is a filthy habit and an issue that people regularly raise with me and the council.

"I don't think the problem in Bedford is worse than anywhere else. This is about making sure that we are tackling it as effectively as possible and using whatever powers are available if local residents wish us to.

"We think that an £75 fine is proportionate, and the recent cases in Waltham Forest show that this approach in enforceable. But it's important that we understand what local residents think before making a decision."

Find out more information and have your say at www.bedford.gov.uk/whywouldyou