Not one fine for dropping cigarette ends in Sandwell
Not a single person has been fined for dropping cigarette butts in Sandwell in the past four years - despite the council launching a high profile campaign.
The authority has issued zero fixed penalty notices from 2012 onwards - despite handing out more than 3,000 in the previous two years.
Bosses have been criticised for the 'shocking' statistics and failing to tackle litterbugs.
If fines are not imposed as a deterrent then it encourages people to litter, according to Councillor Philip Garrett.
The figures, revealed by a Freedom on Information request, show that in 2010 the authority issued 2,083 fines - receiving £72,950.
In 2011 the number of fines dropped to 1,130, with £38,425 brought into the council's coffers.
However, there have been no fixed penalty notices handed out since then.
Councillor Maria Crompton, cabinet member for highways and environment, said: "The community warden service underwent a major restructure in 2012 and merged with the park wardens, with the total number of wardens reduced by a half.
"Despite having fewer resources and additional responsibilities, our wardens still tackle litter through engagement and education, and will still issue fixed penalty notices a last resort if necessary.
"Wardens provide a highly visible presence on Sandwell's streets and at parks, open spaces, cemeteries and crematoria and have also led the council's high profile dog fouling enforcement and education campaign which has been welcomed by the public.
"Responding to people's priorities and needs has always been the driving force behind wardens' work."
UKIP Councillor Philip Garrett said the drop-off in fines issued had left him baffled.
Councillor Garrett said: "These figures are quite shocking.
"I'm a little bit baffled by them - and it begs the question 'why?'
"The council needs to set an example to show people that if they leave litter they will be punished.
"To see no-one has been fined since 2011 just isn't good enough - it's not acceptable."
The streets of Sandwell have not suddenly become cigarette butt free in that time, according to Councillor Garrett.
"Looking at it from where I am and where I live things definitely haven't improved in terms of general tidiness since 2011," he said.
"I think the same can be said for most of Sandwell.
"There must be a reason for it to go from 2,000 fines in one year to nothing two years later.
"How can they justify this?"
