Environmental Fixed Penalty Notices

[p.sefton]

I visited Altrincham last week and parked near Albert Street at the top of the shopping centre. I was smoking a cigarette and when it came to utting it out I checked if there was a wall mounted ashtray outside Mizzanos Restaurant which there was not, the bin round the corner had a plastic liner in it so I decided the safest option was to put my lit cigarette stub down the grid. I then went into the charity shop on the corner of Albert Street and when I left I was approached by two people with a clipboard and asked if I had just put my cigarette into the grid, which I confirmed I had. I was then advised that I had committed an offence of littering and was to be given a fixed penalty notice of £50.00. I was deeply shocked that I was being classed as a litter lout and asked the two people where the notice was advising me of this. They advised me that there were notices in the town centre to which I advised I had not even entered yet!! As I was unaware that I had done anything wrong I asked if I could be cautioned to which they replied they had been told by their employers was not possible as they were not to caution any people but to start booking them. I would like to just make the shoppers and residents aware that this is happening and to let you know that I have appealled against this fine as I am not your typical liiter lout and discarded my cigarette stub with care.

[FlippyFlower]

If you didn't laugh, you'd cry. Yet another example of the nanny state we have become. Disgraceful.

[MattSleight]

Just don't pay, and ask them to take you to court with their evidence. Of course, deny everything. They have no proof, there is nothing they can do other than intimidate you into paying.