Buy Safe Charge Safe, Environmental Fines increase in SOT

Police are reminding people to ‘Buy Safe, Charge Safe’, following another explosion caused by a lithium-ion battery.

On Monday there was an explosion at a house on Wellesley Street in Shelton due to a faulty e-bike battery.

One of the people in the house was taken to hospital with smoke inhalation, and another with burns and smoke inhalation.  A third person suffered minor injuries.

Fire officers identified the cause as being an e-bike battery, which had been left on charge.  Staffordshire Police are stressing the need to be aware of the significant risks to life that faulty lithium-ion batteries can have.

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Increased fines are set to be introduced as the crackdown on illegal dumping across the city of Stoke on Trent continues.
In line with the Government announcement in July 2023, Stoke-on-Trent City Council is one of the first Councils to increase its charges for environmental crime fixed penalty notices.  From Monday, fines will increase to a maximum of £1000

These new increased charges follow on from a hugely successful 100-day campaign in the summer to clear up the city. The campaign focused on educating residents on the best methods to dispose of their waste and highlighted enforcement action on those that don’t.  To date, enforcement officers have issued 912 fixed penalty notices where evidence was found. So far 523 payments have been made and any that remain unpaid are being investigated. Where investigations meet evidential and public interest, they will proceed to court action.
In recent weeks the council has received two successful prosecutions in court for illegal dumping where fines remained unpaid.

Councillor Amjid Wazir, cabinet member for city pride, enforcement and sustainability advised: “When we said we are taking a zero-tolerance to those who continue to blight our city, we meant it. Where evidence has been found, people have been fined, and when they don’t pay they are taken to court. These two residents now have a criminal record for pure laziness!

“We hope these successful prosecutions will act as a deterrent for those considering illegally dumping in our towns. We will continue to remain vigilant, and those caught illegally dumping rubbish in our towns will be fined.”

To report any incidents of illegal dumping visit: www.stoke.gov.uk/illegaldumping

Pictured, L to R – Cabinet Support for Environment and Enforcement, Cllr Finlay Gordon-McCusker,
Deputy Leader and cabinet member for city pride, enforcement and sustainability, Cllr Amjid Wazir and Environmental Crime Manager

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