About Fixed Penalty Notices
A Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) is issued by our Enforcement Officers for environmental offences/crimes including littering, dog fouling, failing to keep a dog on a lead, fly-tipping and smoking in smoke-free premises.
Littering relates to any improperly discarded waste, including cigarette butts and biodegradable items such as fruit.
It is an individuals responsibility to dispose of litter – regardless of if there are no public bins, or available public bins are full, or there are no warning signs about dog fouling, littering or fly tipping in the area. Dog fouling can be disposed of in any litter bin.
Our enforcement officers will enforce all legislation in accordance with the law, and in line with Knowsley Council’s Enforcement Policy.
An Enforcement Officer will not give warnings - issuing an FPN is the method for the offender to accept responsibility for the offence and pay the notice. This avoids a fine being imposed by the courts.
Appealing a Fixed Penalty Notice
There is no formal way to appeal an FPN. This is because paying the FPN prevents any further enforcement action. This means that while this is not an admission of guilt, you are agreeing that an offence has been committed and by paying the sum requested for that particular offence, liability for that offence will be discharged. No further action can be taken by the council.
If payment is not received, then Knowsley Council will make a decision in respect of bringing a prosecution in the Magistrates Courts via the Single Justice Procedure. If you decide to plead not guilty during those proceedings, then the matter will be heard in the Magistrates Court.
Refusal to pay a Fixed Penalty Notice will result in prosecution.
Contact
If any information on the FPN, such as name, date, time of offence, offence code or fine amount, is incorrect, please contact EnvironmentalEnforcement@knowsley.gov.uk
Contacting us if you do not agree that you committed the offence your FPN relates to
If you do not agree that you have committed the offence that your FPN relates to, the matter will be dealt with by formal prosecution through the courts.
In this case you should write to us;
Environmental Health Service
Stretton Way
Huyton
L36 6JF
Or alternatively email us at EnvironmentalEnforcement@knowsley.gov.uk or telephone 0151 443 4712.
Contacting us about an officers conduct
All Enforcement Officers wear a body camera which is activated when they speak with members of the public in these situations. This benefits the officer and the person receiving the FPN.
Any complaints against our officers can be made to the Council and are handled in line with established procedures.