Readers want tougher fines
Sunderland councillors are set to vote on doubling the fines for anyone caught littering in the city – but readers say they don’t go far enough.
Three out of five people who took part in the Echo’s online poll said they didn’t think plans to increase the penalty for dropping litter from £75 to £150 are tough enough.
The proposals to increase fines will be discussed by Sunderland City Council’s cabinet meeting on Wednesday – but Echo readers have already given their backing to the idea.
Ken Bird wrote on our Facebook page: “Last year I was in the USA. The fines there are $1,000 for littering the highways, and I didn’t see any litter. People there are proud of their country.”
Jenifer Thompson said: “Keep Britain tidy, that was what we were told. It worked when I was young and I still take all my rubbish home.”
Phil Smurthwaite said: “If people bagged their rubbish up instead of placing empty wrappers and suchlike loose in the bins then there wouldn’t be any mess.”
Audrey Brand added: “The council tries not to enforce fines – it’s up to parents to teach your kids to put rubbish in bins. “
Sarah Jane Stewart Frame said more bins would discourage people from becoming litterbugs.
“It doesn’t help when there’s not enough bins when you are having a walk. You can go for miles until you find one. I normally keep my rubbish in my pocket or bag until I find one.”
Adeleine Stubbs added: “I hope they follow through with this, as I see people throwing litter down regularly, but I’ve never ever seen anyone about to charge them.”