Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Community Safety Team will be out in force this month to target irresponsible litterers who throw their cigarette ends away.
The fine for this offence is £80 – quite a hit just 2 and a bit weeks until Christmas. That £80 could buy a few presents, a shed load of pigs in blankets or provide you with a good start for the Boxing Day sales! Our officers will be out in uniform and in plain clothes throughout December and will be targeting hotspots in towns and villages across Dumfries and Galloway.
Officers will be carrying ‘stubbies’ on their patrols to hand out to members of the public who are enjoying their cigarette. These portable ashtrays can be placed in a pocket, wallet or hand bag and can be used to safely dispose of a cigarette and then emptied into a larger ashtray or bin at a later date. These will be free to anyone who wishes to have one – if you see an officer in your town or village approach tem and ask them for a stubbie – it could save you £80!
Chairman of the Council’s Communities Committee, Councillor Andy Ferguson said;
“It’s great to see our Council investing in a supply of these portable ashtrays. Whilst officers will be out and about looking for litterers we will also be out educating the public and giving away these stubbies. I would urge you all to do all you can to avoid a fine of £80 and dispose of your cigarette ends appropriately.”Vice Chairman Councillor John Martin added;
“Cigarette ends lying on pavements looks awful outside pubs, restaurants, schools and supermarkets to name a few. I’m pleased to see officers will be using a mix of highly visible and plain clothed operations to catch litterers in the act this December. Do not fall foul of the law and dispose of your cigarette end legally and safely.”
