The maximum fine for littering in Newcastle is £2,500, yet it is not proving enough of a deterrent to stop a spate of broken glass on the streets of Jesmond. 

Residents have been raising their concerns following a number of pets suffering injuries to their paws because of broken glass on Jesmond streets and footpaths. 

George Gibson, the owner to two cats, described how both suffered deep cuts to their paws after walking through broken glass on Jesmond’s streets. As a result of the injuries, Gibson said his cats were experiencing discomfort and pain and his once pink-pawed pets are now black with bruises. According to Gibson, the back lanes and streets are full of broken glass on a Saturday morning which he suggests could be down to student Friday night partying. “The broken glass is dangerous and hurting the pets of Jesmond,” he said. 

Injury sustained by glass to George Gibson’s cat

Other residents in West Jesmond have also noticed an increase in broken glass on the streets, especially near West Jesmond Primary School. One resident told the Jesmond Residents Association (JRA) that they would like to see businesses such as Tesco changing their packaging by replacing glass bottles for safer materials. The resident commented that the glass beer bottles sold in supermarkets in the area are seen stuffed in hedges, smashed on footpaths or left on walls which get blown or knocked to the ground. 

“Broken glass is a serious health hazard to animals, with the main culprit being alcohol bottles,” said Jesmond resident Ed Smith. “I would like to see Tesco Jesmond do their bit to change their stock of glass to other materials.”

A spokesperson for Newcastle City Council said: “While Jesmond is not strictly a hotspot area for broken glass, we understand this issue is an unsightly and dangerous nuisance wherever it occurs. Littering in a public place is dangerous to animals, and an offence with a maximum fine of £2,500 but in many cases offenders will be given the option of paying a fixed penalty notice of £75.”

The council says instances of broken glass should be reported through the Envirocall system so that cleaning crews can attend as quickly as possible.

Popular student streets such as Fern Avenue and Manor House Road have been reported to Newcastle City Council via the FixMyStreet website, which is run by mySociety which, an organisation that aims to make it easier to report problems to local councils.

One worried resident reported lots of broken glass on the streets in early October. They said they had previously lived in Nottingham where glass was cleared up every morning by the council and argued that “Newcastle Council needs to implement more cleaning services” especially because Jesmond has a lot of bars and student residents. According to this Jesmond resident, broken glass is a danger to people as well as pets. 

To report glass in the streets, visit Envirocall to place a removal request.