Less gum litter follows campaign

A local authority in Surrey involved in a campaign to help combat the problem of dropped chewing gum has said it has seen a significant reduction in litter.

Mole Valley District Council was one of 15 local authorities chosen by the government to run public awareness campaigns in a nationwide scheme.

The four-week campaign during August used bus stop advertising and posters to help raise awareness of penalties.

The council said one of its "gum litter hotspots" had since seen a 100% drop.

The council's Street Care Team monitored 10 "hotspots" around the district during August, September and October - five in Leatherhead, four in Dorking and one in Bookham.

Expectation exceeded

It measured levels of dropped gum before, during and after the campaign.

All sites showed reduced levels of dropped gum with a 100% reduction at the Bookham site.

The council said that overall, a 36% drop in gum litter was recorded, exceeding its pre-campaign target of 20%.

Councillor Jean Pearson said: "I think the percentage drop shows that the people of Mole Valley are ready to stamp out this litter nuisance."