litter fine

[not-a-number]

Hi people Is it legal to fine someone under 18 for littering .

It seems that Enfield is targeting the colleges . Is it possible to get the fine reduced for students if you go to court as £80 is a lot for a student to find for throwing a fag butt on the floor

I know that you don't give your name to these people but they act very official and con people into giving details !

[MaxxPower]

I'm not sure I see the problem. People throwing cigarette butts on the floor is a huge issue and should be fined heavily.

[dx100uk]

you certainly should be giving all your details if its a council that's fines you.

 

 

dx

[GrumpyToSayTheLeast]

I once caught my 3 year old about to put a fag but in his mouth(unlit obviously) which was in a children's play park.

 

 

I think the fine should be substantially more. Put it out and bin it.

 

 

And good luck not giving your name, cctv will have you picked up in minutes and forced to give your name to plod.

 

I for one came here to help with advice for those that need it, not advise on how to spoil our beautiful country and get away with it.

[GrumpyToSayTheLeast]

And they act official as they are official. I believe its actually an offence to not give your details or to give false details.

[ssparks2003]

I'm gonig to sound like a victorian father but obviously their parents never taught them not to drop litter. as the age of criminal responsibility is 10 then some snotty 16-17 year old deserves what they get if they can't be bothered to find a bin.

[not-a-number]

I'm not sure I see the problem. People throwing cigarette butts on the floor is a huge issue and should be fined heavily.

 

Thanks for your reply . I don't agree with littering but nor do I see it as such huge issue and the fine is excessive and just revenue raising . My question was about the age of the person and whether it was legal to fine someone under 18.

They are likely to have very little money Yes and I know they are buying cigarette !

[ericsbrother]

It is a fixed penalty notice and not strictly a fine but money paid to avoid court action. This means that no criminal record or judgement will blot ones copybook. It is a criminal offence to refuse to give your details to an authorised person, who must be in uniform.

[not-a-number]

Thanks for your answer .So by uniform would that mean the police or just an official with a badge . I am sure I read something about not having to give your details to these council workers .

[MaxxPower]

Thanks for your reply . I don't agree with littering but nor do I see it as such huge issue and the fine is excessive and just revenue raising . My question was about the age of the person and whether it was legal to fine someone under 18.

They are likely to have very little money Yes and I know they are buying cigarette !

 

Of course it's a huge issue. Not only is it litter but it's also a fire and health hazard. Just because a cigarette has been stubbed out doesn't mean it isn't still hot enough, or potentially have enough still hot embers, to set something on fire. The fine is most certainly not excessive. Maybe it is bringing in revenue, but that's revenue that goes towards the cost of cleaning up littering, which isn't cheap.

[citizenB]

http://www.testvalley.gov.uk/resident/transportparkingandstreets/streetcleaningandlitter/litter-fixed-penalty-notices/

 

The link is to Test Valley, Hampshire. I would think the same is for all Local Authorities.

 

 

Who can be fined?

Anyone aged 17 years and above who is caught dropping litter by an authorised officer.

 

Test Valley Borough Council has a zero tolerance approach to littering.

 

Section 87 and 88 of the Environmental Protection Act (1990) states that if a person drops, throws, deposits or leaves anything so as to cause defacement in any land open to the air, they could be committing a littering offence. Litter includes all smoking, drinking and food related waste including cigarette butts and chewing gum.

 

[ericsbrother]

The uniform is the one prescribed by the council concerned, so it is that a person who has the statutory instrument (basically authorisation by council) and is wearing said uniform (no undercover litter or traffic wardens) as described in council publications.

If that worries you, look at the powers of entry that your council has for your house- they can kick your door down to check the energy rating on your fridge or to search for waterfowl shot with lead shot as well as checking the soil your houseplants are growing in before having a gander at your double glazing...

[not-a-number]

The uniform is the one prescribed by the council concerned, so it is that a person who has the statutory instrument (basically authorisation by council) and is wearing said uniform (no undercover litter or traffic wardens) as described in council publications.

If that worries you, look at the powers of entry that your council has for your house- they can kick your door down to check the energy rating on your fridge or to search for waterfowl shot with lead shot as well as checking the soil your houseplants are growing in before having a gander at your double glazing...

 

thanks you for answering my questions much appreciated

[goodatresearch]

I really cannot understand why people think its OK it throw rubbish on the floor and then moan if they receive a fine. On return from a charity function run by firemen one of said firemen threw the remans of their chippy diner on the floor near my home, when I told him to pick it up he gave me a mouth full of abuse. What wrong with people?

[morrit]

thanks you for answering my questions much appreciated

 

Where to start... Over the age of criminal responsibility then yes fpn can be issued.

Officers need to advise you of their identification and do not have to be in uniform. A valid Id should be shown though. Failing to give correct details is an offence which can lead to arrest.

 

80 is cheaper than the several hundred you would get in court up to a maximum 2500.

 

I have even had People demand proof that they dropped the litter ie photographs. Doesnt wash. If an officer saw you drop it then it's likely you dropped it. If not then you should argue the fact in court. If you dropped it then you have committed an offence Under British law. Your only legal defences are that you had permission to do so, that it wasn't litter/controlled waste or that it was disposed of in an emergency. Hope you got it sorted.