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Whilst The warden may be being over-zealous, petty, and seeming to like picking on easy targets. The fact that police time was wasted on such a stupid thing as enforcing a £50 fine, the teacher refusing to pay the fine is the reason that the police's time was wasted. Rather than berrating the police we ought to be laying into a guy who is a role model for our kids petulantly ignoring authority because he wants to. What sort of message is it that we are sending by just walking away from a fine and saying its ok?!

- Dan, leeds, UK

Good, he deserved it.

- Samir, London, England

Britain is a police state thanks to NuLabour!

- Nick, Birmingham

The cigarrette weighs more then the butt...so is it ok to flick ash on the floor? can i go home and empty the ash from my ashtray on the streets?
what a stupid law

- Nick Chahal, staines uk

Now let's see. Train journey - cannot smoke; in station - cannot smoke; outside station - can smoke!; also, going into station - cannot smoke; outside station - can smoke! Therefore, what better place for the local authority to place 5 wardens? Think of the easy pickings at £50 a time!
To avoid this possibility, I have a leather cig packet wallet. I taped a piece of wet-and-dry sandpaper to it to actually put the cig out. It has a little pocket at the side (intended for a lighter) - perfect for about a dozen butts. When I arrive at a suitable place(?), I empty the pocket. Simple!.

Why don't people do as I do? I am not allowed to smoke in the airport - therefore, I buy NOTHING in the airport except, maybe a cup of coffee. I used to tip in the pub all the time. Since I can no longer smoke in the pub( mainly, in my opinion because the publicans did not put up a fight) I no longer tip in the pub AT ALL. Local authority persecuting smokers? NO CO-OPERATION FROM ME ABOUT OTHER THINGS! AND COMPLAIN LIKE MAD ABOUT ANY COCK-UPS, POT HOLES, ETC.

By the way, did I read the word ISLINGTON? I seem to remember something horrible happening recently in Islington.

- Jimbobsw, Bolton, England

I agree with most peoples' view. The police seem very quick to act nowadays when it is a minor offence and they are unlikely to be challenged or 'hurt' in any way, but when there is a real crime happening and you call the police you are just as likely to be told that they are too busy to attend!

Response times by our 'petty law enforcers' is pretty good, in general, I believe, thereby making their figures look good, but respone times for more serious crimes often run into days!

One answer, if you have a serious crime happening and the police are 'too busy to attend' is call back in a few minutes and say it is ok, problem solved, you shot the one and the other ran off! See how quickly they turn up then!

This country has become a total joke and probably the laughing stock of the World - no wonder the EU love us so much, they bleed us dry financially for nothing in return and get to govern us as well and decide all kinds of petty laws that other EU countries, with guts, just ignore!

The Great should be removed from great Britain, as it has not been great for a good number of years now and is only getting more pathetic as time goes on!

- Lyn, Worcester UK

This makes me sick! Where were these same diligent officers when the Sonnex filth was committing his crimes before murdering those two decent young French students after being let out of prison on licence?
This sort of stupid policing of petty misdemeanours is happening across the entire country while violent criminals & drug dealers go about their business without nundrance from the police!

- Topcol, Kent GB

By all means enforce fines where the facilities exist for smokers to extinguish a cigarette safely and they fail to use them, otherwise they should use common sense, if they have any.

- Steve Batty, Sidcup, UK.

Wow!! did they check to see if he had wiped his bottom

- David Snowdon, surin Thailand

This is a very serious crime and no doubt he will end up in prison with a life sentence. No early release for him. Early release is only for small crimes like murders etc.

- Draci, Roseau, Dominica

I think these things are important - particularly because he is a teacher and an example to children.

He should have paid the fine.

I have been mugged at knifepoint, knocked off my bicycle by a hit-and-run driver, and attacked by kids in the street. (I have Asperger's Syndrome and look a little odd sometimes and vulnerable). This teacher should be ashamed of himself for not paying up.

- David Bayliss, Stockport UK

The Police and wardens ought to be ashamed of themselves. How zealously they apply these laws... yet how meek they are when faced with something alittle more ferocious.

- Mark Cleminson, Riohmond, BC

I am so glad to see you have solved all the serious crime in Britain that you have the resources to do this.

- James Andrews, sacramento, California USA

To use all those resources for 1 cigarette butt just goes to show how stupid these minions follow the letter of the law, and I always thought their remit was to "protect and serve" not "harass and subject". they would be far better employed doing the job they are paid to do, not act as hidden tax collectors. If they actually did the job they were paid to do i.e. stop and arrest thieves, murderers, burglars, car thieves con merchants and terrorists. we would all sleep better in our beds at night. This is the Law gone haywire.

- Tony Woods, Lancaster. Uk

they are all mental. They should lock up all the mps who are robbing us instead of chasing someone enjoying as ciggy, idiots.

- Mary, edinburgh

Were our streets knee-deep in cigarette ends when 70% or more of the population smoked 50 years ago? Of course not, but given a choice between a street cleaner and an 'enforcer' our fanatically minded council clones would pick enforcer every time. Just shows the dispicable power crazed mindset we are now living under.

- Zitori Markews, London

Just another reason why not to vote Labour!

- Mark A, Warrington

It is beyond belief that this country has become the rotten hell hole it has under this fascist labour goverment whom i hope are finished off for good. It really is scary that these untrained and useless idiots that are let loose on our streets to spy and watch our every move is seriously worrying because this smacks at total state and goverment control. We really do need a revolution and we need to claw back our eroded freedoms that this rotten disgusting goverment have slowly taken from us little by little. The total smoking ban being just one of their many horrendous dictorial pieces of leglislation. What angers me most is the fact that they have exempted their own bar in the commons from the smoking ban, whilst they sit and drink their rich brandies etc virtually tax free whilst jo public as me have to stand in the freezing cold for a smoke and pay god knows how much in tax to these parasites whom have taken from us so much for so long.

Lastly well said Harry as me i have not bought a packet of cigarettes in this country for a long time, as a friend who works for the airlines always get me mine at a fraction of the cost that this greedy hypocritical goverment have imposed on them.

Bring on the revolution i say.

- Robs, Camden town London UK

The persecuction of the people of the Uk knows no bounds, five Wardens, police with sirens blaring it has got to stop.

The general public should be campaigning against this sort of persecution.


- Curly, Uk

FAGGED OUT.

This is typical of local council gestapo freaks. I was in Preston last week. I lit a cigarette - and FOUR council freaks were watching me!!

The point that Joe Public is completely missing is.....these on-the-spot fines are TOTALLY ILLEGAL, under the Bill of Rights 1668.

Just another glorified money-grabbing exercise by Gormless Brown and his cronies.

- Reuben Camara, Morecambe, Lancaster

As an ex-pat i've always been sensitive to how police forces in other countries react to certain situations...the RCMP here for example, after they tasered the guy to death at Vancover Airport!! They stopped me just for laughing all the way to the bank!Talk about a Mickey Mouse outfit, they are nothing more than traffic wardens in a different uniform!

- Eric Johnson, Vancouver Canada

You should be gratefull the nazis didnt mistake you for a brazilian electrician and riddle your body with bullets! seriously dont you think it's about time we took our country back from the fourth reich and reinstated british law and order?

- Andrew White, Brighton,Sussex

It's amazing that once ordinary people when given a badge, pen & hand held computer metamorph into horrible, nasty sub-humans. Seems a little power to these people is the highlight of their lives.

I wonder if these wardens would've been so courageous in confronting a dozen young lads, no, they're very selective on who they approach, this I have seen for myself, cowards that they are they pick on easy targets.

I wouldn't give these power crazed wannabes the satisfaction of issuing me with a fine, the same as I won't give this rotten to the core, greedy government a penny more of my money than I have to. I haven't purchased a packet of cigarettes in this country for a long time.

- Harry, england

Quote: Enrico, London. Two days ago, while I was parking my motorbike, I got stopped by police.

The reason? I was SMILING!
----------------------------------

Funnily enough Enrico: I was chased one night by a police car, and other police cars joined in the chase after they radioed in for back-up etc.

I was surrounded outside my home with flashing blue lights, lighting up the road; I got out of my car and asked a group of officers what was their problem etc; they asked me why I had smiled at one of their driver at some traffic lights about half a mile away.

I swear to god this was all true; as I walked away from them, I half expected to get shot in the back for being polite and smiling etc.

- Mickyinlondon, london

I find this "Brave New World" story quite horrifying. I left the UK 19 years ago, for professional reasons - I've always thought I would come back, but this kind of thing makes me doubt I ever will. It is really against the law to stub out a cigarette in the street? There aer "wardens" (not even policemen) wandering around with the power to fine people on the spot for such an "offence"? FIVE of them together?? That is not the country I grew up in... And to think tomorrow is June 6... Horrifying!

- Nick, paris, france

Well it may have been a bit over the top, but I am fed up of the way smokers just throw their butts everywhere and think it is someone else's job to clear it up. Who do they think they are ? We all have to pay for the Council Tax to pay the road sweepers and the smokers are getting a free ride.

- Brendan, London, UK

Could we have a break down of how much this 'butt'cost i.e time spent at scene,expenses,overtime,paperwork,computer time,radio centre staff time,petrol etc. if they wanted a smoke so much lets all chip in and buy a packet of 'Woodbines' for them.Cheaper maybe.

- Barry Cox, West Sussex

Police doesn't have anything more important to do in this country?

Two days ago, while I was parking my motorbike, I got stopped by police.
The reason? I was SMILING!

They thought that smiling (not laughing!) on my own meant I was probably drunk and they asked me to take a breathalyser test...

I was smiling simply as I was thinking something funny a friend told me earlier, but apparently that raised suspicion!!

This is RIDICULOUS!!

- Enrico, London

Crikey, good job he didn't call their police car 'gay'

- Dixon Kipretich, Ugley, Essex

I suppose you all would moan about the police if they didnt turn up when they received the phone call, saying about lack of police response

damned it you do and damned if you dont

- Steven Jones, London

I cant beleive that people are moaning at the police about this, they have a duty to respond to incidents like this if it is called in.

All we have is the account of the litter bug, how do we know that he wasnt being verbally abusive and starting to become aggressive.

Do you believe everything that you are told without hearing both sides...sad if you do

- Steven Jones, London

What a fantastic example this Teacher sets.
Mr Cook has displayed an ignorance of the Law and compounds this with arrogance when he is challenged by the Council Wardens.
Mr Cook should be fined much more than the initial £50 litter penalty,he should be prosecuted for wasting Police time.
If you wish to live as part of a civilised society,then learn to accept your punishment when you are caught disobeying it's rules.

- Mo Ali, Harrow,England

All litter-bugs should be shot on the spot.

Everyone using a plastic shopping bag should be shot on the spot.

All the unemployed should be forced into uniforms, and made earn their living by fining anyone that commits an offence; the larger the fine the better; and second offences should result in the Governments normal favourite sentence in prison; Five Years without parole.

To maintain law and order; the Police, Bankers, and all MPs should be exempt from all laws; or they may emigrate and leave us all alone to fend for ourselves.

Margaret Thatcher was right; there is no such thing as Society; just them and us.

Anyone hear anything about the suggested Constitution and Bill of Rights yet?

No I thought not; that is another fairy tale by all the Political Party’s.

So in the meantime; shot all litter bugs, and save the World from pollution.

- Mickyinlondon, london

How wonderful, our brave boys in blue once again fighting terror on the streets, backing up the gallant crusaders against the appaling monolith of filth and depravity on our streets.
Islington Council officials useless scum to a man, and the MEt, the biggest joke in policing history

- Kerry, Purley

Typical of the nit-picking, pathetic, childish ,churlish Soviet State that Britain has become.What a waste of time, man-power, and resources over ONE dog-end! My goodness, whilst nobody should condone litter-droppers, this really is ridiculous.Whilst the Country is up to it's neck in debt, there is political turmoil, the politicians are ripping us off,unemloyment rises, we are swamped with illegal immigrants, crime is on an ever-upward spiral, etc. etc. , all they worry about is a dog-end!Beam me up Scotty-get me outa this madhouse.

- Ray King, wood green london

Steve, I think alot of people would be rather annoyed if someone issued them with a £50 fine for dropping something on the floor if there wasn't an acceptable form of disposal unit near by, especially when they see people getting away with daylight robbery from the highest levels down. It's just easier for wardens to get at lone smokers than any other groups in society.

- S-M Hearmon, London, UK

Portable ashtrays are the answer to any self-respecting or nervous smoker. I was having a quick cig outside Kings Cross station yesterday (and well away from the entrance I might add) and I couldn't see a normal bin or a special ashtray bin anywhere so my portable ashtray came in very handy. You can buy them online very easily and though they don't hold more than one or two butts they're ideal for situations like that.

- Isabel, Woking

- H Morgan, London

The Sonnex case has a hell of a lot to with the bigger picture. We have perverse systems and policies in place creating a society that demonises the individual and protects the criminal. A system that frees scum early, a system that arrest victims of crime because it is easier. It is a Liberal-Lefty approach perverting the decent attitudes that have held in our society for sometime. A Liberal-Lefty approach that offers a defence to feckless, free loading scum even before they get to court. A perverted system that instead of locking people up and keeping them their for the full duration of their term, allows early release or even non-custodial sentences facilitating these vermin to carry on their anti-social behaviour against right minded decent citizens.

The police have to answer the call, they are duty bound to do so. Unfortunately they are caught between a rock and a hard place implementing pathetic Labour policies.

- Frank, Home Counties, England.

I just wish that is all the police have to worry about.

- Steve, London

Ban smoking in public, that would stop this behaviour. Teachers should be setting an example.

- Tom, Watford (UK)

From now on, I'm not going to toss my butts in the gutter, they're going straight in the bin.

I do apologise if any of you are delayed by bin fires, but from my perspective, its better than a fine.

- George, London

Hang on a bit. Many of you people bleat about a lack of respect for the law when people just throw their stuff around the place. Now you bleat when action is taken? So, which is it?! What should happen then when someone throws litter on the ground? Should the police ignore it or challenge the litterer. Without the deterrent of a fine, many paople will do as they like. He could easily have put the spare end in his cigarette pack till he got home. Dirty man.

- Nik Cholerton, fulham

5 wardens appeared !! sounds like a job creation, trust taht they were British jobs for British workers ?

- Grim Reaper, Hell

S-M Hearmon - I am sure if there was a more serious incident at that time then they would have been divereted.

All we have is the litter bug's version of events who got asked to get off the bus and accept the ticket upon police arrival, why didnt he accept the ticket when the warden issued it and if he felt it wasnt warranted then appeal.

We do not have have any comment from the warden / police, so how do we know that the man wasnt getting aggressive and verbally abusing him which would have warranted police action

- Steven Jones, London

H Morgan, I don't think anyone is doubting the good job the police do for the majority of the time, just that I'm sure that at the same time around Archway, they might have been needed for a more serious incident and/or used a bit of common sense.

There are bins for litter, there aren't many ashtray bins that people can use, and of course they can't put lit cigarettes into plastic bins so, as people will smoke, whatelse are they to do with their cigarette ends?

- S-M Hearmon, London, UK

Carry a weapon. You need it to protect your self from muggers, criminals, stupid plod (police) and plastic plod(community police). Not one has an IQ of more than 10.

- N Winsor, Southampton

Actually there are bins outside the station and what is stopping smokers carrying a portable ashtray with them. Archway is absolutely filthy and cigarette butts are everywhere. An over reaction (if the police bit of this is true) but what about the individual taking a bit of responsibility for helping keep the locale clean and tidy. If fining smokers/people who drop litter/irresponsible dog owners is the only way to get some sense of civic pride back I am all for it!!

- Neil, Archway

There are some really idiotic comments being made here. The Sonnex story is nothing to do with it, with the best will in the world a dangerous and determined person will always be able to commit horrible acts - the justice system failed - not the police, as the guy should have been behind bars. The police found the murderers within a week. Are people suggesting that the police refuse to respond when called to a case of someone refusing a lawful fine? The wardens aren't allowed to put hands on so of course the police must respond. People complain about litter but then complain when they are held to account for dropping it. You can't have it both ways.

- H Morgan, London

Small wonder Dano Sonnex & Co thrive in London.

The police will be called in for overdue library books rather than tackle real crime, where they just might get hurt like the innocent public


Martin

- Martin, Bracknell England

If your are a French student getting robbed and then stabbed 250 times and then set on fire, there is nobody to help. Put a ciggy out and the full weight of the Law will jump on your back.

Went to Portugal the other weekend, a bar owner was quite happy for me to smoke in the bar. 'Sod the Law they don't care here', he stated. A stark contrast as to how the rules and regulations are implemented to the letter here in the UK and how we suffer because of it.

A broken government implementing broken policies for a broken big brother society.

- Frank, Home Counties, England.

It's good that we only have one side of the story, because then we dont have to worry about having a balanced argument and can blame the police for something else when we dont know the full facts!!

- Steven Jones, London

WOW! Thank god there wasn't a burglary or an assault, you would have to wait ages for the police, obviously crime is sol low in Islington they can just chase guys who drop cigarette butts!!!!! What would happen if 10 youths dropped McDonalds or M&S Litter on the pavement perhaps they would send in the TSG and break some heads, Pathetic.

- Robert Jackson, London, London

I wish the police and these wardens would put as much effort into stopping people openly smoking joints around Archway. Or maybe that is not as good a revenue raiser.

- Chris W, Tufnell Park

>>He said Islington wardens called the police and minutes later they arrived with sirens sounding to tell him to get off the bus and accept the fine.

Nice to see the boys in blue have their priorities absolutely spot on.

Welcome to idiotic Britain. Perhaps if the police spent more time catching rapists and murderers, London would be a lot safer. Maybe the local authorities should introduce bins and cigarette stubb containers then there'd be no need for these revenue raising exercises.

- Adam, Harrow, UK

This is how it should be. Is that why this story is here, I wonder? The butts around here all end up in my garden. Why can't fag companies add a side panel to their boxes for the butts?

- Martin H. Watson, Teddington

If there were more ashtrays around on the streets people wouldn't have to put them on out the floor. But no doubt I'm a terrible person for saying this and the anti smoking lobbists will come out against me. I'll count to 5.

Good use of police time though.

- S-M Hearmon, London, UK

What a stupid rule given the lack of bins due to the IRA

- Ge, Kernow

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