NOT FINE
I’m a lawyer and you SHOULD snitch on your neighbours if they use a hosepipe during ban – let them get £1,000 fine
BRITS should snitch on their neighbours if they use their hosepipes during the ban, according to a lawyer.
Paul Britton reckons households flouting the restrictions deserve the hefty £1,000 fine as they risk drying up water supplies for everyone.
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Millions across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will be under strict instruction not to use hosepipes or sprinklers from tomorrow after the driest July for decades.
A further two million households will be hit with a "temporary usage ban" covering Kent and Sussex from August 12.
South East Water and Southern Water have said appropriate action will be taken should people disobey the rules - which could include fines of up to a grand.
Solicitor Paul believes this is the correct punishment and encouraged people to dob in their neighbours if they don't toe the line.
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Speaking on Good Morning Britain today, he said: "The fine is quite steep but things could arguably get worse.
"Say for example, you're in the shower with shampoo in your hair and the water runs dry, and you look out the window and Fred is watering his petunias - that's where your water's gone.
"The water authorities only put these restrictions in place in the most serious of circumstances.
"We are at a point now where the reservoirs are running low so it is a genuine risk that we run out of water for the essential services.
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"When you turn the tap on you expect it to flow."
He went on to say that while speaking to your neighbour first might work, many "aren't friendly" and people are often "passing ships in the night".
"You're better off phoning the authorities anonymously and letting them deal with it," Paul added.
"They're not going to go to prison or end up in court.
"They'll probably just get a knock on the door."
The ban prohibits hosepipes being used to water gardens, clean cars and ornamental ponds, and to fill private swimming pools.
While it will only officially cover a handful of regions, other suppliers, such as Thames Water, have warned they may follow suit.
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It follows the driest July since records began in 1836.
South east and central southern England had an average of just 0.2in (5mm) of rain last month, while East Anglia had 0.21in (5.4mm).
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