A council decision to bring in private enforcement litter police to patrol parts of Knowsley has divided opinion.
Last week Knowsley Council announced it had contracted the services of National Enforcement Solutions to enforce fines on people who drop litter in the borough.
Following the announcement, officers from National Enforcement Solutions were spotted at a shopping park in Prescot.
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In a post shared on a local social media group last week, with a photograph depicting what appeared to be an enforcement officer "lurking" close to a shop entrance, it was stated the council was "out trying to fine people."
The post sparked dozens of comments from residents with different opinions about the council's decision to contract the firm.
Some were furious, vowing to refuse to cooperate if officers approached them.
One person said they thought the way people were being followed around by officers was "creepy."
He said: "Hate the way they follow you I had it when I smoked they followed me until I put it out on a bin so creepy."
Another added she had watched someone get fined after the officer lay in wait outside the supermarket for the woman to finish her shopping.
Others said they were concerned vulnerable people, or mothers with young children "accidentally" dropping litter could find themselves being targeted, prompting one person to say: "f you drop it pick it up, no problems."
Others were sympathetic to the idea of the council contracting officers in an attempt to stop people littering, with one saying: "No problem if you don’t drop litter surely."
Another suggested there could be a more effective approach than chasing after people who drop litter, stating: "Instead of paying them to try and fine people, (scruffs will always drop litter) give them a brush and shovel and pay them to push a cart around & pick the rubbish up."
One person stated simply: "I think it's a load of rubbish."
Responding, the council said its decision to contract litter enforcement officers came about after concerns expressed by the people of Knowsley.
A Knowsley Council spokesperson told the LDRS: “We listened to our residents’ feedback regarding litter in the borough and have invested in additional resources to keep Knowsley clean and tidy.
"Any concerns we receive will be thoroughly investigated through our complaints procedure and we encourage anyone to report any concerns they may have to environmentalhealth@knowsley.gov.uk / 0151 443 2400.”
National Enforcement Solution was also contacted for comment.
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