LITTER louts have been fined £22,725 by private enforcement officers in less than a month.

Security firm Xfor has handed out 303 fines to litterbugs in Basildon since being brought in to clean up the borough’s streets last month.

Basildon Council has contracted the company, run by former police officers and paratroopers, to hand out £75 to people who drop rubbish, don’t clean up after their dogs and leave cigarettes behind.

Xfor’s team of four officers joined Basildon Council’s five enforcement officers on the streets on April 23 for a six-month trial.

Malcolm Buckley, Basildon Council's cabinet member for environment, said the flurry in early fines sent out a clear message that blighting the streets wouldn’t be tolerated.

He said: “People are getting the message they have a real chance of being fined if they drop litter.

“It’s disappointing they have given out so many fines because it shows people are committing offences, but I hope the amount will reduce as people become more aware of Xfor and more responsible for their actions.

“I have had no negative feedback. I think responsible people are quite happy and those who are issued fixed penalty notices know they have clearly committed an offence.”

The number of fines was higher than Xfor typically hand out in new areas.

In the Welsh borough of Blaenau Gwent, Xfor issued 216 fines in the first four weeks of its trial last year.

Xfor takes a cut of the fines it issues to cover its costs, so it doesn’t cost the council.

Officers patrol locations with a history of environmental problems at busy times – for example the early morning and evening when dog walkers are out.

They work in pairs and wear CCTV cameras so they can corroborate each other’s accounts of events and for their own safety.