UNDERCOVER Ribble Valley Council officers will be out and about with a covert CCTV camera this week in a crackdown on dog-fouling.

Environmental health officers and dog wardens from Ribble Valley Council have joined forces with Clitheroe Police and the National Canine Defence League to put the squeeze on dog-owners who allow their pets to foul in public.

Ribble Valley Council has identified dog-fouling as a major concern of residents in the picturesque rural borough and is taking part in Poop Scoop Week to help tackle the problem.

Lesley Miller, senior environmental health officer at Ribble Valley Council, said: "The summer is here and people are looking forward to lazy days in the park, leisurely walks and relaxing outdoors.

"Unfortunately, the sight of dog mess in parks and streets causes offence to many people, which is why we have joined forces with the police and National Canine Defence League to urge local dog-owners to be responsible and clear up after their pets. Dog-fouling has consistently been identified as one of the main concerns of local residents and Ribble Valley Council is committed to taking action.

"We will be using covert surveillance to catch the culprits, but we won't be hiding behind bushes.

"We will be quite visible and handing out poop scoops as opposed to fines.

"This is primarily an educational initiative and we will be visiting several dog-fouling hotspots in a special van, with display boards and leaflets. This is a priority problem for us and we are determined to tackle it."

The Dog-Fouling Act 1996 requires dog owners to pick up their pet's mess, with fines of £50 if they don't and up to £1,000 if they are taken to court.

Claire Bicknell of the National Canine Defence League said: "Hopefully this initiative will show dog owners how easy it is to clean up after their dogs.

"It is the duty of dog owners to clean up after their pets and there are no excuses for leaving dog mess in public places."

The Poop Scoop team will be out and about in the grounds of Clitheroe Castle, the Brungerley Park, Edisford and Henthorn areas of Clitheroe, Wilpshire, Salesbury, Ribchester and the Kestor Lane and Willows Park areas of Longridge.

The mobile CCTV camera being used by the team will be linked to the central monitoring station in Clitheroe.

This is the fourth National Poop Scoop Week although Ribble Valley and Burnley Councils are the only authorities in East Lancashire taking part.