How can we trace litter louts?

Sir,

As one who volunteers to pick up litter, I came across a receipt listing goods that matched the nearby empty plastic bottles and a cake box lying on the roadside verge, all recently bought from a local shop.

The goods were paid by a debit card, which only shows the last four digits of the account number. If it was a Silent Witness serious crime scene, I’m fairly certain that the person(s) could be traced back to the shop, probably having CCTV, transaction records, forensic evidence (fingerprints, DNA) and so on.

I know it’s a sledgehammer to crack a nut situation, and that police and local authorities have not got the resources to deal with littering, especially beyond urban areas. However, I do wonder whether just one well advertised successful prosecution would send out a strong message that it is possible to be caught.

And what is wrong with using mobile miniature spy cameras at roadside lay-bys, as we have mobile speed cameras? Fortunately, Blue Planet 2 has provided the wake-up call over the need for action to protect our fragile environment.

If televison is that powerful in conveying serious global matters then governments should act – for example, by enforcing big drinks companies to highlight in their TV adverts the problem of litter when their products are disposed of irresponsibly.

A Robinson, Spean Bridge.