Cigarette Butts Top Fines As 508 Litter Penalties Issued Across Causeway Coast And Glens

Cigarette butts accounted for the vast majority of fixed penalty notices issued during the first three months of a private litter enforcement contract across Causeway Coast and Glens. 

A report due to be presented to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Environmental Services Committee on Tuesday, 8 September, provides an update on the contract being delivered by National Enforcement Solutions (NES)/3GS.

The contract commenced on 11 May 2026, with the report covering enforcement activity up to 31 July.

A total of 508 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) were issued during the period. 

There were 212 notices issued in May, 177 in June and 119 in July.

The report records 100 of the May notices as paid, 97 from June and 73 from July.

Cigarette butts account for 475 notices 

Cigarette butts were by far the most commonly recorded offence.

According to the figures, 201 notices were issued for cigarette butts in May, 164 in June and 110 in July.

That represents 475 of the 508 notices issued during the period covered by the report.

Other recorded offences included street-related waste, dog fouling, other litter, packaging, alcoholic drinks, a business fly-tipping offence and household duty of care offences. 

Individual notices were also recorded for a soft drink can, sweet wrappers, a snack pack, fast-food-related litter, a rolled-up cigarette and printed literature.

Coleraine has highest proportion of patrol hours 

The report also details the percentage of patrol hours allocated to different areas during June and July.

Coleraine received the highest proportion, accounting for 27% of patrol hours in June and 28% in July.

Ballymoney accounted for 15% in June and 12% in July, while Portrush increased from 8% to 11%. Portstewart accounted for 7% and 8% respectively.

Patrols were also carried out across a number of other towns and villages throughout the borough.

Recruitment continuing 

The report states that two enforcement officers are currently deployed each day.

Recruitment is continuing to establish a full team of seven officers.

It also states that intelligence and complaint data relating to problem areas will continue to inform targeted enforcement activity across the borough.

The report is being presented to the Environmental Services Committee for information, with councillors recommended to note its contents.