A SHOP worker was fined £75 for littering after throwing a cigarette end into the street in Evesham.
The woman was caught by an officer from Wychavon District Council committing the offence on Port Street on Friday, September 9.
Earlier this year Wychavon bought a new pavement sweeper to deal with the amount of cigarette ends littering the streets of Evesham Town Centre. And the council currently spends £1.5million on street cleaning across the district every year.
Council chiefs are now urging businesses to do more to make their staff and customers aware of the law around littering and to encourage smokers to get rid of their used cigarette ends responsibly.
Coun Emma Stokes, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Street Scene on Wychavon District Council, said: “Smokers need to be aware that by throwing away or dropping their unwanted cigarette ends not only are they damaging the place where they live or work but if caught we will take action.
“Whether its cigarette ends or any other item our message is simple – don’t drop it, bin it.”
Coun Gerry O’Donnell, who leads the Litter Free Evesham campaign, has said he is disappointed that so few businesses in the town centre are displaying Litter Free Evesham window stickers, despite pledging to support the campaign.
More than 250 businesses, ranging from major national chain stores to independent retailers based in Bridge Street, High Street and Port Street, have signed the declaration, which commits them to keeping their immediate area free from litter and to encourage customers to dispose of their rubbish properly.
“Businesses have a key role to play in helping to change the attitudes and behaviours of their customers and staff towards littering,” Coun O’Donnell said.
“It is disappointing to see so few ‘Litter Free Evesham’ window stickers displayed by businesses, following their pledges of support.
“However, it is up to everyone who lives and works in the town to ensure that their litter is disposed of responsibly and help others to do the same. “The Town Council hold litter picking packs for those wishing to undertake a community litter pick in their area,” he added.
