Newly published figures have revealed how Tendring District Council (TDC) enforcement teams rose to the challenges posed by increased visitor numbers during the summer season.

For the past two years the council has published a summertime plan looking at how it will manage additional pressures created by the tourism economy – particularly acute in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic when more people opted for domestic holidays – such as littering and dog fouling.

The priorities were based on feedback from local residents, and the authority’s response has been beefed-up in recent years through the creation of new internal enforcement groups and the introduction of community ambassadors.

Between June and August the community safety and engagement team carried out 333 patrols and issued four warnings for fly-tipping.

Three abandoned vehicles were seized, while the council’s dog warden issued ten fines and community protection notice, as well as testifying in court in a successful animal welfare prosecution.

TDC has bought mobile CCTV cameras and is equipping front-line enforcement officers with body-worn cameras to allow for better evidence should cases go on to fines or prosecution.