I WRITE in response to recent letters from residents concerning the council's policy on fixed penalty fines for litter.

Officers do not give warnings for littering, and the incident referred to in the Press recently involved officers approaching and talking to young people about litter in a proactive manner - no litter had been dropped.

Cigarette ends are no exception to the penalty rules for litter and are recognised as a major contributor to dirt and detritus, as echoed by many residents and Evening Press readers. To turn a blind eye to those that drop cigarette ends would be discriminatory.

City of York Council has listened to comments about disposal and responded by looking into adapting litter bins and offering portable ashtrays.

However, to simply throw ends on the floor and walk away is an offence and will be treated as such.

Before the launch of the litter penalty policy in April 2004, the council undertook a publicity campaign to highlight the new fines.

This included advertisements on buses and bus shelters across the city, cinema advertising, letters and posters to businesses and fast food outlets, a schools' education programme, advertising in the Evening Press, and considerable regional media coverage.

While I sympathise with those who have failed to see the warnings, the Government's view is that such publicity is only optional and citizens should be aware that littering is wrong.

To avoid a fine, we simply ask people to hold on to their litter until they find a bin - or take their waste home in a responsible manner.

Jackie Armitage,

Acting head of street

environment services,

City of York Council,

St Leonard's Place, York.

Updated: 11:13 Saturday, June 12, 2004