Littering prosecutions underline the importance of clean streets

The prosecutions follow nine separate littering incidents where fixed penalty notices were previously issued but were not paid. The nine offenders were ordered to pay a combined total of £3834 in fines and costs. The prosecutions serve as a warning to others to not discard unwanted items in the street but to place them in a litter bin or take them home.

Councillor Page, Executive Councillor for Public Protection and Enforcement, said, “We have no desire to prosecute anyone, but littering is a serious problem and a criminal offence, with street cleaning costs running into millions. We would encourage everyone to find a litter bin or take their rubbish home as we need to put a stop to littering in our borough. When our enforcement officers witness littering, a fixed penalty notice is issued, and prosecution will follow if this is not paid.”

Six of these littering incidents involved defendants who dropped litter in Bromley High Street. Two incidents took place in nearby Queens Gardens and the remaining incident occurring in Beckenham town centre, with patrols also taking place across the borough.

The circumstances of the nine cases involving defendants who were guilty of littering a cigarette butt include the following:

Litter deposited in Bromley High Street by:

• Harry Thomas of Woodbine Road, Sidcup
• Aneta Kleinszmidt of London Road, Bromley
• Nicola Rutter of Blyth Road, Bromley
• Marian Barbu of Rushey Green, Catford
• Paul Dickinson of Honley Road, Catford
• Sydnie Holdsworth-Russell of Rangefield Road, Bromley

Litter deposited in Queens Gardens by:

• Katie Freeman of Middle Street, Chatham
• Jade McColgan of Pontefract Road, Bromley

Litter deposited in Beckenham Junction by:

• Jackie Pettite of Otford Close, Penge

All the prosecutions were brought forward under section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 which prohibits littering.

To report street problems, visit the council website at www.bromley.gov.uk/report.

Visit www.bromley.gov.uk/Prosecutions to view the latest prosecutions.

Ends

The offenders were tried at Bexley Magistrates Court between 9 September and 8 October 2024.

1. Harry Thomas of Woodbine Road, Sidcup was proved guilty at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 09/09/24, and was ordered to pay a fine of £220, costs of £423 and a surcharge of £88 – total £731.
2. Aneta Kleinszmidt of London Road, Bromley was proved guilty at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 09/09/24, and was ordered to pay a fine of £220, costs of £423 and a surcharge of £88 – total £731.
3. Nicola Rutter of Blyth Road, Bromley pleaded guilty by post ahead of a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 10/09/24, and was ordered to pay a fine of £138, costs of £250 and a surcharge of £52 – total £440.
4. Jackie Pettite of Otford Close, London pleaded guilty by post ahead of a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 24/09/24, and was ordered to pay a fine of £40, costs of £250 and a surcharge of £16 – total £306.
5. Katie Freeman of Middle Street, Chatham was proved guilty at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 24/09/24, and was ordered to pay a fine of £220, costs of £250 and a surcharge of £88 – total £558.
6. Marian Barbu of Rushey Green, London was proved guilty at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 02/10/24, and was ordered to pay a fine of £75, costs of £75 and a surcharge of £30 – total £180.
7. Paul Dickinson of Honley Road, London pleaded guilty by post ahead of a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 02/10/24, and was ordered to pay a fine of £50, costs of £75 and a surcharge of £20 – total £145.
8. Jade McColgan of Pontefract Road, Bromley was proved guilty at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 02/10/24, and was ordered to pay a fine of £75, costs of £75 and a surcharge of £30 – total £180.
9. Sydnie Holdsworth-Russell of Rangefield Road, Bromley was proved guilty at a hearing at Bromley Magistrates Court on 08/10/24, and was ordered to pay a fine of £100, costs of £423 and a surcharge of £40 – total £563.

For media enquiries, please contact David Aderogba, Public Affairs Officer, on 020 8466 3060 or email david.aderogba@bromley.gov.uk.