Nearly 500 people have been fined for dropping cigarette butts in one part of Somerset in just three months.

Somerset West and Taunton Council announced in January that it would be teaming up with East Hampshire District Council for a 12-month enforcement trial as part of a new strategy to keep streets and public spaces clean and free from litter.

The trial formally began on April 1, with regular patrols being undertaken around the district and fixed penalty notices (FPNs) being issued to people found to have littered.

Statistics published by the council show that nearly 500 people across the district have been fined for dropping fag ends – the majority being in Taunton – with an average of six fines being issues every day.

The statistics were published ahead of a meeting of the full council in Taunton on September 6.

In the three months between April 1 and June 30, a total of 502 FPNs were issued to offending individuals – 498 for dropping cigarette butts and four for dropping pieces of litter.

Taunton saw the most FPNs issued with 412, followed by Minehead (60), Wellington (27), Watchet (two) and Wiveliscombe (one).

Officers wearing body worn video carried out a total of 96 patrols and issued an average of six FPNs each working day – the level which needs to be achieved for the trial to break even over the 12-month period.

The FPN demands payment of £100, though this can be reduced to £80 if the per £80 if the person issued with the notice pays up within 14 days.

However, the average payment rate in the first three months of the trial is only 60 per cent – meaning a large number of the notices are being contested.

The trial was entered into in part as a response to a tirade by one Taunton resident, who in December 2021 branded Somerset’s county town “the most filthiest town I have ever lived in” and called for the sacking of both councillors and officers.

Councillor Andrew Sully, portfolio holder for environmental services, told the full council that officers were looking to change people’s behaviour through education and partnerships with local businesses on top of the fines.

He said in his written report: “We are working with McDonald’s in Taunton and Minehead to improve behaviour around littering and also add in extra bins.

“We have meet with the operations team of Taunton First Bus, which is communicating to staff on how not to litter. They are looking at ‘stubby pouches’ for staff and commuters and posters for buses.

“We have met with the manager of Minehead Butlin’s, who confirmed they would be advertising in the welcome pack not to litter. Also, they will be putting up posters on how not to litter.

“We are working with Arc (the operator of Lindley House) [to address issues] in Taunton [town centre] and the surrounding area.”

The trial is due to conclude on March 31, 2023 – the day before the council is officially replaced by the new unitary Somerset Council.