Kingston Council has appointed Waste Investigations, Support and Enforcement Ltd (WISE) officers to operate its Environmental Enforcement and River Mooring Management contract.

WISE started operating in Kingston from 1 July 2024 and has previously worked with the council to tackle fly tipping. 

WISE officers have been patrolling town centres across the borough, as well as along the riverside and known fly tipping hotspots.

Their role is to investigate incidents of fly tipping, commercial waste offences and littering.

WISE officers are also helping to manage the council's moorings.

All WISE officers wear uniforms and carry identification, making them easy to identify.

"If they witness any offences that pass the high evidence threshold, officers are authorised to issue on the spot penalty charges," said Kingston Council.

If an officer spots a potential offence, they will introduce themselves by showing their ID and explain why they are talking to the individual.

If they have evidence that an offence has been committed, they may issue a Fixed Penalty Notice.

The amount will depend on the offence; £150 for littering, £400 for fly tipping, and £300 if a business doesn't have adequate waste disposal arrangements.

The officers will also be enforcing other highway and environmental crime offences that can be dealt with by a penalty notice.

All fixed penalty notices will have details of how to appeal as well as how to pay, and a reference number in case people wish to contact the council.   

For most offences, there will be a reduction in penalty amount for prompt payment.