Smithdown residents use Facebook to tackle litter problem on Lawrence Road and beyond.

Litter collected by Mr. Evans during the interview.

Residents of the Smithdown area have decided to tackle the litter problem themselves around the area. 

Anyone in Liverpool caught littering is faced with a £150 fine and starting from £500 for fly-tippers. 

Despite efforts from the council and the police, a new Facebook group titled litter-picking Lawrence Road and beyond have taken matters into their own hands meeting at 11:00am every Sunday 

Steve Evans, 68, is the one of the founders of the group: “I clean the head of Bagot Street every Sunday and there is a couple of other individuals too."

We were all doing our own thing individually at first and we got together and said ‘lets form a group'. I had a bit of social media skills and set up the Facebook Group.” 

The group has had a very “positive” response from the local community; local shops have even been providing them with materials such as bin bags. 

Mr. Evans works with an organisation that is controlled by the Council called Streetscene who also provide kit and dispose of any nitrous oxide cylinders found in the street. 

“We find propane gas cylinders, nitrous oxide cylinders, drug paraphernalia which is why we try our best to make sure all members wear gloves. 

“Our ward councillors are members of the group; they are very keen to see the group flourish and are very helpful.” Evans added. 

Mr. Evans insists that the group tries not to focus on any individuals or personalities and act as a group for the benefit of the group and community. 

Additionally, the group attempted to get a freedom of information request regarding fly-tipping fines in Liverpool. 

The response said that 87 people have been fined for fly-tipping in the last 5 years, as opposed to Manchester’s 1200 in the same period. 

Mr. Evans, who is originally from New Zealand, has also been critical of the introduction of Eurobins in the Kensington Area. 

He has called for them to introduce a similar system to how New Zealand deal with bins by having an address sticker with a serial code heat stamped into the bins. 

By Arley Armfield.