+- LIBERAL TALK (http://talk.liberal.org.uk)
+--- Thread: Merseyside Liberal Association Statement - Liverpool litter squad won't be set ticket (/showthread.php?tid=1050)
Merseyside Liberal Association Statement - Liverpool litter squad won't be set ticket - ReadingLib - 08-26-2025
Liverpool, a city renowned for its vibrant culture and storied history, has long grappled with the issues of urban cleanliness and environmental stewardship. In recent years, the initiative to combat littering and uphold public spaces has taken shape through the establishment of litter enforcement squads. These teams, tasked with patrolling streets and issuing fines for littering offences, have become the focal point of both local policy debates and community scrutiny. In this landscape, the Liberal Party’s stance—that the Liverpool litter squad will not be set ticket targets—marks a significant moment in the evolution of public order management and the relationship between enforcement and civic responsibility.
Ticket targets have, elsewhere, led to accusations of over-zealous enforcement and disproportionate penalisation of minor offenders. Residents and advocacy groups have voiced concerns that such quotas could encourage aggressive tactics, alienating communities and disproportionately impacting vulnerable individuals. The question for Liverpool, then, is how to balance effective enforcement with principles of proportionality and fairness.
A target-free system is not without risks. Measuring success becomes more complex, relying on qualitative assessments and long-term outcomes rather than simple statistics. The party recognises that ongoing investment in training, public engagement, and infrastructure is essential to support the transition.
By prioritising fairness, education, and officer discretion, the party hopes to forge a stronger partnership between the city and its residents—a partnership grounded not in the pursuit of numbers, but in a shared vision for a cleaner, more vibrant Liverpool.
As the initiative unfolds, the city’s journey will offer valuable lessons for urban centres everywhere, challenging policymakers to rethink how best to encourage civic responsibility and protect communal spaces. The debate is ongoing, but the Council’s approach signals a desire to move beyond quotas, in favour of a more nuanced and community-focused strategy for litter enforcement.
Alan Tormey
The Liberal Party National Spokesperson on Energy and Environment