NEARLY 120 people are counting the cost of committing environmental crimes in County Durham.

Durham County Council issued 118 fixed penalty notices last month for offences including littering, dog fouling, untidy yards or gardens and carrying waste without the correct licence.

A total of 47 community protection warnings and three community protection notices were handed to properties with untidy gardens or yards and one person was prosecuted as a result.

More than 90 reports of antisocial behaviour were investigated and a further 220 incidents passed from police airwaves were attended.

There were 191 seizures of alcohol from underage children, 37 home visits to address antisocial behaviour issues were carried out and 55 warning letters were handed out.

Seven litter picks were also held as part of the council’s community Civic Pride campaigns – 78 bags of rubbish were collected as a result.

Meanwhile, with neighbourhood wardens dealing with 165 stray dogs, pet owners are being reminded about the importance of microchipping.

And as part of Operation Stop It, a multi-agency campaign which has seen a 31 per cent drop in flytipping since it began in November 2014, 11 cases linked to waste crime were progressed through the magistrates court for prosecution.

Environmental crimes can be reported at durham.gov.uk or by calling 03000-261-000 and flytipping can be reported at durham.gov.uk/flytipping

Unlicensed waste carriers and waste crime can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers at crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800-555-111.

Copies of monthly neighbourhood protection reports are available to download at durham.gov.uk/neighbourhoodwardens