In Wales, clearing litter up after yourself on your own doorstep is a criminal offence; it is apparently worthy of a £350 fine or possible prison sentence!
One has to ask, is the Council at Pontypridd so poor that they have to fine a housewife for removing litter from her own doorstep? Is this just the result of a power crazed council who, rather than exercise power with justice tempered with mercy, merely want to grab as much money from as many people as they can?
It appears to be that even if you drop litter and then retrieve it with the intent of proper disposal, it is still an offence. Where is the incentive to pick up dropped litter if some little Hitler in a hi-visibility vest is going to fine you anyway?
There is no point in obeying a law that says even if you drop a cigarette end, then retrieve it you will be penalised, even criminalized, you may just as well drop it and be fined anyway! This is clearly a case of Local Authority and the Judiciary ganging up on a minority for political expediency.
When exactly was the last time a Council penalised someone for dropping the remains of their kebab or burger on a Friday or Saturday night? They know that such litter attracts vermin; they know that vermin like rats carry disease, yet they ignore this contrary to the meaning, spirit and letter of the Health and Safety acts in order to concentrate on smokers.