Most people don’t need reminding that cigarette butts are still litter – and 16 more are unlikely to forget it after being fined almost £7,000 for littering in Medway.
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.
The offences took place between October and November last year.
The 17 cases heard at East Berkshire Magistrates Court are as follows:
- Josiah Brogan, 29, of High Street, Rochester, was ordered to pay £358 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt in Old High Street, Chatham, on 6 October 2023.
- Bernard Gallagher, 36, of Roscoe Crescent, Weston Point, was ordered to pay £358 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt in High Street, Chatham, on 12 October 2023.
- Jessica Harding, 40, of Rainham Road, Gillingham, was ordered to pay £358 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt, in High Street, Chatham, on 10 October 2023.
- Niomi Morrison, 30, of Hamilton Road, Gillingham, was ordered to pay £358 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt, in Medway Street, Chatham, on 12 October 2023.
- William Phillips, 27, Ingram Road, Gillingham, was ordered to pay £358 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt, in Railway Street, Chatham, on 16 October 2023.
- Daisy Sakera, 19, of Cross Street, Gillingham, was ordered to pay £358 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt, in High Street, Chatham, on 9 October 2023.
- Margaret Thompson, 70, of New Road, Chatham, was ordered to pay £558 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt, in Rhode Street, Chatham, on 13 October 2023.
- Emma Almond, 34, of Byron Road, Gillingham, was ordered to pay £380 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt, in The Brook, Chatham, on 18 November 2023.
- Bobbi Barnswell, 26, of Johnson Avenue, Gillingham, was ordered to pay £380 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt, in High Street, Gillingham, on 20 November 2023.
- Hayley Dawson, 30, of St Albans Close, Gillingham, was ordered to pay £380 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt, in Pier Approach Road, Chatham, on 2 November 2023.
- James Lewis, 32, of Chelmar Road, Chatham, was ordered to pay £380 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt, outside The Pentagon shopping centre, Chatham, on 9 November 2023.
- Kennedy Power, 23, of Tufton Road, Rainham, was ordered to pay £380 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt, in Medway Street, Chatham, on 21 November 2023.
- Martin Sharp, 43, of Cambria Crescent, Northampton, was ordered to pay £380 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt, in Globe Lane, Chatham, on 21 November 2023.
- Peter Sparks, 38, of Jasper Avenue, Rochester was ordered to pay £380 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt, in High Street, Chatham, on 20 November 2023.
- Aleksejs Tugulevs, 41, of Exeter Walk, Rochester was ordered to pay £380 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt, in Maidstone Road, Rochester, on 9 November 2023.
- Zoe Warr, 42, of Abbey Road, Strood, Rochester, was ordered to pay £380 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a drinks can, in The Brook, Chatham on 20 November 2023.
- Mitchel Worsley, 29, of Lakeside, Snodland, was ordered to pay £380 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt, in Railway Street, Chatham, on 18 November 20023.
Keep Medway clean and tidy
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.