I WRITE in response to readers' letters about litter fines (April 19 and 20).

City of York Council have authorised the use of fixed penalty notices as an enforcement measure available to litter authorities under the Environmental Protection Act, to help reduce the levels of litter in our city.

While the authority could continue to clean the streets, it is felt more proactive measures are needed.

It is widely supported that people who litter should be made to pay for what is an illegal act. This enforcement will also help change a perception that it is acceptable to drop litter on the city's streets.

All fines paid will be used for other litter enforcement work, following the guidance from Government.

The procedures followed by the street environment officers enforcing this legislation have been risk assessed and training has been provided to minimise risks to employees and anyone stopped for littering.

The service of notices on anyone dropping litter will be enforced with due consideration to safety and human rights.

Anyone who wishes to avoid a fine is advised to use the many litter bins provided, or take their waste home.

This way our streets will be cleaner and our residents and visitors happier. We all want a clean city.

Zoe Burns,

Head of street environment,

City of York Council,

St Leonard's Place, York.

...IS the council trying to make sure that "litter crime prevention officers" earn them a lot of money in revenue from fines.

The other day when I came out of York Central Library, I was chewing gum. As I turned into Blake Street, I was getting fed up with it and wanted to get rid of it.

I couldn't find a litter bin any where. I carried on to St Helen's Square and found a litter bin. Then I noticed that all four openings were blanked off. I walked further and saw that there was another bin and that too was blanked off.

I headed for Davygate knowing there was a bin on the corner of New Street. It wasn't there.

Never mind, I was going to Jessops, so expected more on the way. St Sampson's Square, oh yes there are at least five there - but they are all blanked off like in the other square. Was this a special day for creating litter? On I went, down Parliament Street only to find more blanked-off litter bins.

Next I headed for the market going up Parliament Street and into Newgate. I was still looking for a litter bin, to no avail, and the gum by now was tasteless.

I spied a huge four-wheeled bin, almost as tall as me. I quickly took my gum from my mouth and threw it over the rim of the bin.

Kevin Horner,

Albemarle Road, York.

Updated: 10:29 Saturday, April 24, 2004