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Most don’t need reminding that cigarette butts are still litter – and 16 more people are unlikely to forget it after being fined almost £7,000 for littering in Medway between October and November last year.
Of 17 littering cases heard between April and June this year, 16 were for dropping cigarette butts while one person was fined for dropping a drinks can, with offenders racking up a total of £6,864 in fines.
Cllr Alex Paterson, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Highways and Enforcement, said:
“We want to send out a strong message that dropping cigarette butts, or any other litter, in the street is not acceptable and those who do it can face hefty fines. Our teams work hard throughout the year to keep Medway clean and tidy, but everyone who lives, works or visits here needs to do their bit too.”
To reduce the risk of harm from smoking, residents who want to stub out the habit for good are encouraged to get in touch with Medway Council’s Stop Smoking Service.
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 allows for authorised officers to issue fixed penalty notices on any land the public has access to. Our contracted litter enforcement agents patrol across Medway including in the area’s high streets, greenspaces, supermarket car parks and other areas which have high levels of littering.