A PRIVATE company has sent its staff on to the streets of Brighton and Hove for the first time in a crackdown on litter bugs.

Staff at 3GS Environmental Solutions have begun work patrolling city streets and issuing £75 fines to residents and visitors caught dropping litter and flytipping as well as dog owners who leave their pets’ mess in public places.

Enforcement officers are equipped with body cameras to gather evidence and identify offenders fly-tipping, littering, flyposting, graffiti, dog fouling and disposing of commercial waste illegally.

Residents who do not pay the fixed penalty notice could end up in court where they face the prospect of being named and shamed and landed with a much higher penalty and possible court costs.

The council has said the scheme will not cost taxpayers with the Hampshire-based firm, who were selected following a competitive tendering process, sharing the proceeds from fines issued.

The firm’s officers will also be looking out for good examples of residents picking up litter and improving their neighbourhoods who will be rewarded with a gift voucher.

Councillor Gill Mitchell, chairwoman of the environment, transport and sustainability committee, said: “We are often asked to take a tougher stance around antisocial behaviour such as dropping litter, fly-posting, dog fouling and graffiti.

“This new scheme, along with the publicity and education programme, will tackle the problem head-on and send out a strong message that deliberate antisocial behaviour which blights our city will not be tolerated.”