Margrove Park

YOUNG crime scene investigators are to put the menace of dog fouling under the microscope next week – as a major crackdown on the problem gets under way.

Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council is launching a new campaign that warns dog owners to clean up after their pets and urges residents to dish the dirt on serial offenders in East Cleveland.

And the drive will begin with pupils at Lockwood Primary School, in Boosbeck, donning CSI-style white suits on Monday, July 5, in a display designed to highlight the fact that dog fouling is a crime.

Local residents have been invited to the event to hear about the scale of the problem and what they can do to prevent it, as well to visit stalls from organisations including the Dogs’ Trust and Feedem Pet Supplies, of Guisborough.

The village of Boosbeck is one of the worst hotspots in the Borough and campaign posters will be distributed throughout the East Cleveland area.

Bags allowing residents and visitors to safely dispose of dog mess will be available in local libraries.

As the initiative develops, talks will also be given in school assemblies and posters made available for residents to place in their windows.

Following its launch in East Cleveland, the campaign will be extended to cover the whole borough.

Councillor Dave McLuckie, Cabinet Member for Community Protection, said: “Dog fouling is one of the most serious environmental crimes we have to deal with.

“Irresponsible and selfish dog owners cause mess and misery for everyone else. They ruin our enjoyment of parks and play areas and spoil the streets of our villages and towns.

“They also pose a serious risk to the health of our children. We believe that there are no excuses for not cleaning up after your dog, and we will do everything in our power to crack down on this issue.”

For further information, log onto www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/dogfouling