Bolton Council ditched the 'litter police' drafted into the area to tackle littering due to issues with the environmental enforcement company responsible for them.

The council approved an agreement with 3GS for a six-month trial on March 22 of last year when it remained under the control of the Conservative Group.

Last Wednesday, at the town hall, ex-Conservative Group cabinet member Nadim Muslim asked current Labour Group cabinet member Susan Haworth for an update on these 'litter police' who were able to issue fines for low-level offences.

The cabinet member revealed the agreement with 3GS for a six-month trial was not renewed.

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Cllr Muslim said: "As a part of the last Conservative administration we partnered with a company which would target those who blight our streets with littering.

"However it has come to light this contract was cancelled. Why was the contract cancelled?"

Cllr Haworth said: "Regrettably it was apparent within months of commencement a number of conditions agreed during discussions were not being delivered. 

"Officers highlighted a number of failures but the contractor failed to respond in a manner which justified the extension of the pilot scheme and the decision was taken in consultation with me not to extend the pilot scheme for another six months."

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Cllr Haworth said there were almost 1,400 fines over a period of six months from which the council received a total of £18,960 in income. Based on The Bolton News's calculations, the council should have received at least £27,620 in income.

The cabinet member revealed a number of the fines went unpaid and a number of the offenders went unprosecuted.

Cllr Haworth said: "A number of batches of case files were sent to the the council, however, after evaluation, officers considered the evidence was not of an acceptable level for submission to the court. 

"For this reason a decision was taken not to pursue a number of cases in view of the risks."

The council is considering other options to tackle littering for the future, Cllr Haworth said.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.