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Unsightly blobs of chewing gum littering the streets of Bournemouth are being blitzed in a major clean-up operation.

Bournemouth Borough Council has hired specialist cleaning contractors to spend six weeks tackling the pedestrian areas of Bournemouth and Boscombe precincts where irresponsibly discarded chewing gum has blighted the pavements.

The work, being done as part of the Keep Our Bournemouth Clean initiative, is expected to start on 25th February. Much of the clean-up will be carried out at night to minimise disruption to pedestrians but at times some may need to be done during the day.

Councillor David Smith, Portfolio Holder for the Community, said:

“Discarding your chewing gum carelessly on the floor is a filthy and unpleasant habit and leaves our precinct environments in a disgusting state. Spitting gum onto the floor is also classed as dropping litter and anyone seen doing it will be liable to a fine of £75.00. I am delighted this clean-up operation is going ahead to ensure the town remains an attractive place for everyone to live, work and visit.”

Dropping chewing gum is an environmental crime and if caught you can be liable to pay a £75 Fixed penalty notice.