A 19-year-old has been hit with a staggering £150 penalty after allegedly dropping a single bag of crisps in Westminster, London. The incident has ignited a fierce debate over whether local councils are going too far in their littering crackdowns.
"It Was Just a Crisp Packet"
The shocked teenager claims he didn't even realise the packet had fallen from his pocket when enforcement officers swooped in. "I was walking home from college when two officers stopped me," he explained. "They said they'd seen me drop a packet of cheese and onion crisps - but I didn't even know I'd done it."
Zero Tolerance Policy
Westminster Council operates one of the toughest anti-littering policies in the UK, with fixed penalty notices starting at £150. A council spokesperson defended the action: "Dropping litter is unacceptable regardless of size. Our streets are some of the cleanest in London thanks to this approach."
Public Backlash
Local residents have expressed mixed reactions. "It seems excessive for a crisp packet," said one shopkeeper. "But if they don't enforce it, the streets would be filthy." Others have taken to social media, with many calling the fine "disproportionate" for a first-time minor offence.
What the Law Says
Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, councils can issue fixed penalties for littering. While most authorities use discretion for minor first offences, some like Westminster take a harder line. The teen now faces paying the fine or potentially ending up in court.
