Any company found guilty of hygiene offences could now face much bigger fines or even jail terms following the introduction of new sentencing guidelines which came into force yesterday (February 1).

The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) hopes the move will ensure catering companies take their responsibility for pest control seriously.

Simon Forrester, chief executive of the BPCA, said: “The laws governing food hygiene make business owners fully responsible for pest control at their premises.

“Sentencing in recent years doesn’t seem to have had much of an impact as harsh penalties have rarely been imposed. So while we welcome the move to introduce tougher punishments to those who flout food safety laws, it must be strictly applied and on a uniform basis.

“Pest management is a primary obligation for owners of every type of food business and we hope the prospect of bigger fines, or even jail in extreme cases, will ensure the subject is now at the top of their agenda.”