PETERSFIELD Town Council is set to introduce enforcement officers who can issue £80 penalty notices for littering and dog fouling to patrol land it owns.

The recommendation that East Hampshire Contract Services (EHCS), an East Hampshire District Council company, supplies enforcement officers has already been approved by two town council committees.

Areas patrolled could include Petersfield Heath, High Meadow off Frenchmans Road, and Bell Hill recreation ground.

Town council spokesman Steve Field said: “There are areas in Petersfield where more effort is required to manage dog fouling and littering.”

The service will cost the council nothing – if the officers wearing body cameras issue five tickets a day they have covered costs. But the company stresses there isn’t a “number of tickets issued incentive.”

People who don’t pay the fixed penalty fines will be prosecuted, said Mr Field, and cases brought by EHCS for non-payment had resulted in magistrates courts imposing fines and costs averaging £640.

The company has also recommended that those under 18 years old caught littering, or who don’t clear up behind their dogs, are also issued tickets – and they, or their parents, could also face court action if they don’t pay up.

A report to councillors by council clerk Neil Hitch says: “EHCS will take non-payers to court, and has an excellent results record.”

At their meeting in the Town Hall on Thursday April 26, members will hear that it has been recommended the scheme is approved so patrols can start.