Anti-litter firm WISE defends its operations amid claims its £80 fines are overwhelmingly for cigarette butts

The firm - called Waste Investigations Support & Enforcement (WISE) - has wardens in three council zones: Causeway Coast and Glens, Mid and East Antrim, and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon (plus some on the UK mainland). Its performance was savaged during a Causeway Coast and Glens council meeting on Tuesday, where DUP man John McAuley complained that its wardens are almost entirely targeting smokers. He said WISE enforcers “sneak about car parks, jump out, hit someone with a fine for dropping a cigarette butt... it’s an easy hit” - whilst more serious problems like fast-food litter and dog fouling were not prioritised. There are usually four or five WISE wardens working in the borough, seven days a week. The fines they dole out come to £80 apiece, and the revenue gets shared between the council and WISE. In all, 749 fines were issued in Causeway Coast and Glens during August, of which councillor McAuley said 600-or-so were for cigarette butts. He believes the situation is similar in Mid and East Antrim too. Now that latter council has told the News Letter: “[We] confirm that a small number of complaints were received at the commencement of the pilot in April 2021, with the frequency of any complaints having decreased as the pilot progressed. “Although the majority have been challenges against the service of a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN), a very small number have raised concerns around targeting smokers. “Upon investigation, to include viewing of officer worn body camera footage, none of the complaints received by Council to date have been upheld.” Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s press office refused to divulge any details of its financial arrangement with WISE. Independent Mid and East Antrim councillor Rodney Quigley said that, based on the statistics above, “there needs to be a serious re-think of how these litter wardens are conducting their business - to me, it’s not in the spirit of why they were employed”. WISE itself has told the News Letter said its patrols are a response to complaints from public and councillors alike, adding: “Our officers are equipped with body worn camera technology which is activated when speaking with any member of the public and during the issuance of a fixed penalty notice. “A fixed penalty notice is issued based on an officer clearly observing a member of the public dropping and leaving litter in a place which is open to the air. “Any appeals arising from the issuance of a fixed penalty notice must be made in writing either online at www.noticepayments.co.uk/fpnrep/ccg or by emailing ccg@wasteenforcement.co.uk. “All representations submitted in writing will be reviewed by checking the issuing officers body worn camera footage and all associated evidence. “These details are clearly printed on every issued fixed penalty notice. “If the representation is declined the alleged offender will be given the opportunity to formally appeal the FPN at court.” More from this reporter: Click here: EU cannot get over 2016 Brexit success and is playing a dangerous game with NI: DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson on the NI Protocol Click here: Tory reshuffle: ‘Brandon Lewis riled unionists with his protocol fantasies – but is kept on for his slavish obedience to Boris’ Click here: NI Protocol described as a ‘car crash and a nightmare’ as one haulier says his firm may fold within months A message from the Editor: Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription. Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up. Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website. Ben Lowry Acting Editor