Nitrous oxide to be illegal from 8th November 2023

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‘The ban, promised as part of the government’s Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan, will make nitrous oxide a controlled Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Earlier this year, the Home Secretary urged police forces to get tough on flagrant drug taking in local communities, with reports linking nitrous oxide to antisocial behaviour such as intimidating gatherings on high streets and in children’s parks, often leaving empty canisters scattered across public spaces.

There are still many necessary uses for nitrous oxide and those with a legitimate reason for possessing the substance will be exempt from the ban. For example, it will continue to be lawful for catering purposes and in maternity wards when used as pain relief during labour.

Licences will not be required to carry nitrous oxide, but individual users will need to demonstrate they are lawfully in possession of nitrous oxide and not intending to consume it for psychoactive effects.’

Find out more here: Gov.uk.

Waste exemption changes to prevent crime in the waste sector

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One of the ways to stop crime in the waste sector is through working with Government to improve the regulatory system to make it harder for crime to be possible.

Proposed changes to the waste exemptions regime will bring protection to legitimate businesses in the waste industry, because we know that some types of waste exemptions have been routinely used by unscrupulous operators to hide illegal waste activities from regulatory control, whilst providing a veil of legitimacy.

Check what is changing and get yourself ready for change, as you may need to restrict your waste activity, get a permit or stop altogether.

See this Environment Agency blog to find out more.

 

Police and Crime Commissioner Grants

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Thanks to funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon & Cornwall (PCC), the Devon Community Foundation have funding available for projects and initiatives which contribute to the Police and Crime plan, by:

Reducing violence
Tackling anti-social behaviour
Tackling or mitigating drug use
Supporting victims of crime

Grants will support projects and organisations that support the PCC to achieve one or more of the above four priorities within their Safer Communities plan.

Applications could include actions which;

  • reduce litter, graffiti, tensions, disruptive behaviour or disorder in communities
  • raise and share the awareness of community issues
  • make spaces feel safer for local communities
  • raise awareness of the impacts of addiction, violence and antisocial behaviour

Community foundations exist to facilitate the giving of funds into our local communities, to help them and their community reach their full potential. That means living safe, happy, and fulfilled lives, which we know is what happens when we come together.

Deadline for applications: 12 noon on Wednesday 8th November 2023

Newton Abbot fly tipper prosecuted

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This week at Newton Abbot Magistrates Court saw the successful prosecution of Colleen Hooper for fly tipping in Sainsbury’s car park Newton Abbot.

Two black sacks along with a council black recycling box that included household waste, face masks and used COVID test kits were dumped next to the recycling skips labelled for recycling plastic, glass, and cardboard etc. There is a large sign informing patrons that any waste or recycling left outside of the skips would be treated as an offence of fly tipping and could result in a fine or prosecution. There are similar signs on the skips themselves. None of the items that Ms Hooper dumped were those that could have been placed in the skips for recycling.

Ms Hooper had failed to pay the fixed penalty notice (FPN) issued by the Council and Newton Abbot Magistrates Court found Ms Hooper guilty of the offence and she was ordered to pay a fine of £440 plus a surcharge of £179 and the council were awarded its full costs of the investigation and prosecution of the case which amounted to £865.08 totalling the amount owed under the Court Order to £1,481.08.