A Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) is a notice served by an authorised enforcement officer, such as a community warden or a trading standards officer to a person who has committed a criminal offence.
FPNs may be issued on the spot or by post after the event. By paying this fine, you agree that you have committed the offence and no further action will be taken against you. It also means that you can avoid being prosecuted in the criminal courts and receiving a criminal conviction.
FPNs can be issued for a range of environmental-related offences including:
The term "litter" covers a wide range of items, which can include such things as cigarette butts, chewing gum, food waste, packaging or a bag of waste discarded on the street or open land. Littering can take place on any land (public or private) in the open air to which the public have access. It is a criminal offence that carries a fine of up to £2,500 and a criminal record.