KENNET District Council has welcomed a new law that gives local authorities powers to deal with discarded chewing gum, among other things.

This legislation will give a much-needed boost to councils' roles in cleaning up local neighbourhoods and includes granting them the powers to immediately seize vehicles caught fly-tipping, to issue fixed penalty notices for fly-posting, waste, litter and graffiti offences and allowing them to retain the receipts.

Mark Smith, environment and amenity services manager at the council said: "The council welcomes the additional legislative powers that we need to combat the scourge of local environmental crime such as abandoned vehicles, fly-tipping and discarded chewing gum."

Environmental crime is more than just an eyesore, says Ken-net - it can increase the fear of crime, hamper economic regeneration and cause loss of local pride. Nationally environmental crime tops polls of residents' concerns.