NEW laws have come into force, allowing councils to crack down on environmental crime.
The move is designed to make the immediate environment cleaner and tidier for everyone.
From yesterday, £80 spot fines can be imposed on people who drop litter, fly-tip, daub graffiti, fly-post, distribute flyers or leaflets or fail to clean up dog mess.
There may be fines of £100 for those who leave burglar alarms ringing for long periods, and £200 for abandoning cars.
Severe fines of up to £5,000 can be issued for light pollution, rising to £20,000 for businesses.
Councils like Kirklees now have to decide how to implement the powers.
Clr David Sparks, chairman of the Local Government Authority's Environment Board, said: "People want to live in clean, safe and quiet neighbourhoods and councils now have the power to make this happen.
"For too many years councils have had too little power to tackle the people who blight the local area.
"Larger fines and the ability to issue on the spot penalties will give councils the power to deal effectively with the minority of people and businesses who spoil the local area for the rest of the community."
We asked some Huddersfield people what they thought about the new measures.
