A Council bid to reduce littering means businesses and individuals must now get a licence to hand out leaflets in Bournemouth and Boscombe.

Councillors have voted in favour of implementing a Distribution of Free Literature Order in Bournemouth Town Centre and Boscombe Precinct.  Those who fail to comply could be given a Fixed Penalty Notice of £75 and repeat offenders could be fined up to £2,500 in court.

Andy Williams, Safer and Stronger Communities Manager at Bournemouth Council, said: “We’re working hard to protect our environment and keep Bournemouth clean. Our aim is to reduce litter – many people are responsible and either keep flyers or throw them in the bin but others are causing a nuisance.

“As well as people handing out free printed material in the street, flyers are being placed on parked vehicles in the area.

“With this order in place, in order to get a licence people need to talk to us about where and when they plan to distribute flyers. We would like to limit the number of people who can distribute at any one time and prevent them giving out leaflets in areas such as the Gardens. We can also make it a condition of their licence that they clear up any litter stemming from their leafleting.”

The order, which falls under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, comes about following a period of public consultation, during which the Council received just one objection.

The Council’s civil enforcement officers will help detect those working without a licence and offences can be reported to the Council.  CCTV operators will also be on the look out.

Charities, religious and political organisations can continue to distribute printed matter without a licence.