Cumberland Council's zero-tolerance approach to littering has led to a Carlisle man being ordered to pay a fine and costs totalling £460 after he ignored a Fixed Penalty Notice issued for dropping a cigarette end in the city centre.
The offence took place on Devonshire Street in December 2025 when the individual was witnessed throwing a cigarette end onto the pavement outside a local restaurant before walking away.
Following a report from a member of the public, Cumberland Council's Environmental Health Enforcement Team investigated the incident. CCTV enquiries and further evidence confirmed the offender's identity, and a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) was issued, giving the individual the opportunity to avoid prosecution.
The offender failed to pay the Fixed Penalty Notice, declined an invitation to attend a Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) interview, and did not engage with the Court process and was convicted in his absence.
The case was heard in the individual's absence, with the court finding them guilty of the offence under Section 87(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The court imposed fines and costs totalling £460.
Cumberland Council’s Assistant Director for Waste and Public Space, Neil Dixon, said:
"Cumberland Council takes a zero-tolerance approach to littering. Dropping a cigarette end on the ground is not a minor offence or an acceptable excuse for littering. It is no different to throwing away any other item of waste and offenders should expect to face enforcement action.
Cigarette ends are one of the most common forms of litter found in our towns and city centres. While it may seem easy to simply drop a cigarette end and walk away, bins are provided throughout our high streets and public spaces. Smokers should dispose of cigarette ends responsibly or take them with them until they can find a suitable bin.
The vast majority of people in Cumberland take pride in where they live and dispose of their waste responsibly. However, we will not hesitate to investigate reports of littering and take action where there is evidence of an offence. This successful prosecution sends a clear message: if you drop litter, including cigarette ends, you risk being fined and taken to court.
We would encourage anyone who witnesses littering, fly-tipping, dog fouling or other environmental crimes to report them to the council so that we can continue to keep Cumberland clean, safe and attractive for everyone.
A single cigarette butt contains thousands of chemicals and does not simply disappear. Instead, it breaks down into microplastics, releasing harmful substances into the environment and potentially affecting wildlife, waterways and public spaces for years to come.
Cigarette litter remains one of the most common forms of littering across the UK. Smokers looking for a convenient way to dispose of cigarette ends can obtain a portable "Butt Box" from Keep Britain Tidy to help prevent cigarette litter and protect the local environment.
Cumberland Council continues to tackle environmental crime across the area through education, enforcement and community engagement. Residents can report littering and other environmental offences via the council's website.”