Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Private Uniformed Officers to Police Litterbugs and Fly-Tippers in Haringey
People who litter in Haringey are to face tougher enforcement action as part of a new trial announced by the Council last week.
During a nine month trial starting on 21st of this month a new team of uniformed officers will patrol the streets handing out fines ranging from £80 to £400 to anyone aged 18 or over who is seen dropping or dumping rubbish or allowing their dogs to foul the streets.
The new regime will include handing out fines to anyone who drops chewing gum or cigarette butts. The officers will wear body cameras with footage used as evidence if required. People under the age of 18 will have their names and address taken for a letter to be issued to their parents.
The uniformed officers will be employed by Kingdom Security. The contract with the company is expected to cost £120,000 per year with the costs covered by money received from penalties issued.
Last year 586 fixed-penalty notices were issued for littering in Haringey. If the same number were to be fined in the coming year, this would generate an income of between £46,000 and almost a £¼M. Of course if detection rates increase significantly, a much higher sum could be expected.
Whilst more attention to littering will be welcome, there are reasons to give a cautious welcome to the new scheme. Kingdom Security claim in their promotional material that the environmental division is "led by experienced experts with police and military backgrounds" and recent press coverage suggests that their powers may sometimes be exercised with too little restraint.
Last year Maidstone Council suspended the operations of Kingdom's entire litter operation after a woman was fined for feeding the ducks. The Kent Messenger reported that the "£80 fixed penalty notice was issued to a woman feeding the ducks in Tovil – because the warden insisted no birds were present at the time."
In another incident a Twitter storm was unleashed when a photographer was arrested by Kingdom Security guards for taking pictures of a Golden Wonder crisps factory. Whilst the exchange is not particularly edifying from either side, the law was on the side of the photographer and the viewpoint of the Kingdom security guard rather indefensible:
The Manifesto Club (which describes itself as campaigning against the hyperregulation of everyday life) conducted a short investigation into Kingdom Security and found that the number of fines issued by the company has increased steeply. In 2011-12, the company issued 18,690 penalty notices on behalf of 13 councils. By 2014-15, that had climbed to 42,529 fines for 16 councils.
The Manifesto Club say that "In most cases, Kingdom Security receives a portion of each fine issued, between £40 and £75 of a £75 fine (on average, the company retains £45). In some cases, councils pay Kingdom Security on an hourly or annual contract basis, but this arrangement comes with ‘projected income’ figures: that is, the arrangement is based on a certain number of fines being issued."
The precise details of the Haringey contract have not been released, but there are some worrying local precedents. In 2014-15 Enfield Council received £221,200 after 6,255 penalty notices were issued by Kingdom – but the company was paid £279,090.
Apparently the vast majority of fines are issued for cigarette butts. However, fines are also being issued by Kingdom Security officers for: spitting, handing out leaflets without a licence and smoking in Taxi or work vehicles.
Whilst Haringey's focus on litter is to be welcomed, it is also to be hoped that they have drawn up a contract designed both to curb any excesses and to ensure value for money.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sarah on
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I'm happy to report I saw two people putting their rubbish in the bin on West Green Road today. There were some bags of rubbish by the bin but no loose litter on the ground apart from the inevitable cigarette butts.
It's too soon to call it progress, but I'll keep an eye on the situation...
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Permalink Reply by Antoinette on
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Just seen an advertisement on job site indeed.co.uk for Kingdom Enforcement Officers at £9.75ph. Interesting that they are employing on a permanent and not a temporary basis. They must be reasonably sure of hanging on to Haringey's contract long term. The reviews of what Kingdom is like to work for make for interesting reading, but I couldn't copy over the link unfortunately.....
Environmental Enforcement Officer
Kingdom - Haringey
£9.75 an hour
Permanent
Kingdom
45 reviews
Read what people are saying about working here.
Haringey Council
£9.75 per hour plus competency based allowance
Kingdom are the UK’s leading Environmental Enforcement provider and due to our continued growth within this industry working on behalf of local authorities. We are now recruiting for the position of Environmental Enforcement Officer based at Haringey Council.
The role will require you to lead by example and provide front line leadership, resilience and back office support to your Environmental Enforcement Team. Your team will be responsible for patrolling the borough working in line with the relevant local authority’s deployment strategy and issuing Fixed Penalty Notices to offenders in contravention of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.
You will be required to work 40-48 hours per week, Monday to Sunday (including Bank Holidays) shifts between 7am and 8pm, flexibility for the role is essential.
Main Responsibilities
Assist the Haringey Council in relation to the investigation of complaints made by members of public.
Daily liaison with Haringey Council.
Provide statistical data to Haringey Council and deal with Freedom of Information Requests.
Leading from the front and issuing Fixed Penalty Notices whilst in your front line role.
Monitor conduct and performance of the Team.
Ensure the smooth running of the team.
Provide theory and front line training to new team members.
Provide on the ground support as and when required.
Documentation of processes across the Enforcement teams.
Keep up to date with legislation's and relay this information to the team.
Conduct Officer Appraisals.
Compile initial Prosecution File and Liaise with Local Authority Legal Team.
Any other reasonable task under Instruction of Operations Manager.
Produce statistical reports on a daily, monthly and yearly basis.
Package Description
We offer candidates the opportunity to being part of an industry leading and respected Security and Environmental Enforcement company with real opportunities of advancement and guaranteed hours contracts as well as a range of employee benefits which includes 20 days annual leave plus 8 days bank holidays.
Work place pension scheme, if you are eligible or wish to contribute.
Access to a substantial free online training academy for professional development.
Company Award Scheme.
The Ideal Candidate
Experience in a similar leadership role is essential.
Knowledge of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.
The ability to communicate with offenders, often in demanding circumstances in a professional manner.
Previous experience in a customer service role and handling difficult situations in a professional manner.
Good organisational skills are essential.
Must be positive, focused and have the ability to motivate a team.
Must have the fortitude to increase productivity.
Must enjoy working in the outdoors and in all weather conditions.
PC Literate is essential (Excel and Word packages).
Full UK Driving Licence and own reliable transport is advantageous but not essential.
Will be work independently and on own initiative to carry out the enforcement role.
Excellent communication skills are required both written and spoken.
Please note that all candidates will have to go through a CRB process prior to employment and will need a full five year checkable work history
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What awful pay for a fairly unpleasant job. And long hours. If it was in house it would be 35-36 hours a week.
Mind you, I used to be a lawyer - that's why I love working in local government, it feels like it's part-time.
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Well quite...the hours struck me too...I didn't even know you could ask people to work a 48 hour week.
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Yeah, employers can ask you to sign an opt out of the EU Directive on Working Hours.
Isn't it great that soon they won't have to do that? Though if we curb immigration we'll run out of people to exploit....
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Oh I think you'll find they still will. The Repeal Bill will simply make all EU regulations into UK law. They might, I suppose, amend legislation at a later date but I'm guessing employment law is unlikely to change significantly
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48 hours is the maximum weekly working hours under the Working Time Directive, you have to opt out of working MORE than 48 hours per week. Or at least employers have to ask you to voluntarily opt out of working no more than 48.
The rules you can't opt out of are one day off in seven, 11 hours off in 24, and of course 20 days' holidays plus 8 for bank holidays.
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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That's why we have soldiers on the streets. Those selfish police officers won't do more than 13 hours a day and some of them are even squealing that they've had their holidays cancelled. It's almost as if we don't have ENOUGH police officers or something.
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Yeah I know - I think it's 50 even. I've been asked to sign it in nearly every job I've taken, though since I went permanent in local gov I don't think I was asked. It's pretty cool having rights at long last. Though things have improved now - right before I stopped temping I even got a workplace pension.
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