THREE fines a day are being handed out to litterbugs as a scheme to crackdown on the issue is rolled out.

As of Monday, 32 fines had been issued and the dedicated patrols had been running for ten days, a meeting of the Weymouth and Portland Borough Council management committee meeting heard yesterday.

In response to questions from the committee, Graham Duggan, head of community protection, said this is ‘about on target for what the expectations are, given the time of year’.

Mr Duggan added: “The Financial Penalty Notices (FPNs) were predominantly issued in the town centre but there were also some in Lodmoor Country Park.”

The scheme started on Monday, February 13 – after an initial start-date of autumn 2016 was postponed – but the officers were in training for two weeks before patrols began.

The scheme is being run by a private company and patrol officers, who wear body cameras, issue fines of £75 to anyone caught dropping litter, not clearing up their dog’s mess, or spraying graffiti.

Traders who don’t ensure rubbish is stored and disposed of correctly are also being targeted.

Anyone caught breaking the rules is asked for their personal details – and if they don’t comply they face criminal prosecution and a fine of £1,000.

The news that 32 fines have already been issued was welcomed by the management committee, which met at the borough council offices on Commercial Road.

Cllr Christine James said: “I’m glad to hear they are doing a good job.”

And Cllr Jeff Cant, leader of the borough council, added: “This will really help tidy the town up.”

The committee also heard that, if the scheme is successful, the patrol officers may be given additional responsibilities in terms of what they can fine people for.

Cllr Francis Drake, briefholder for community safety, said: “As time goes on we hope to be able to give them more things to issue fines for.”

Mr Duggan added: “We are looking to review this after the summer season. The project is in place for 12 months but we need to be geared up to look at whether we continue it after that.”

It’s hoped the scheme will crackdown in particular on litterbugs and those who let their dogs foul without cleaning up after them.

The Dorset Echo revealed in 2015 that just two fines for dog fouling had been issued in five years – despite more than 900 complaints.