A grieving mother in Bromley, London, felt unjustly treated when she received a £100 littering fine after a receipt accidentally dropped out of her handbag. Jayne Saywell, 56, had been walking through Bromley High Street to uplift her mood following her father’s recent passing. As she exited TK Maxx, she encountered a windy area where a receipt flew out of her bag, unbeknownst to her. Saywell explained that she briefly noticed the paper but didn’t register it as hers and continued with her day. It was at this moment that an environmental enforcement officer approached her, issuing the fine.
Recalling the incident, Saywell expressed feeling harassed and distressed by the enforcement officer’s manner. She offered to retrieve the dropped receipt but was denied the opportunity, eventually being fined for littering. Saywell insisted that she had no intention of littering and was taken aback by the officer’s approach, feeling like a criminal. Following the ordeal, she lodged an appeal with the council, urging them to review the incident footage to validate her innocence.
Posting about her experience on social media, Saywell received support from others sharing similar encounters, particularly from women. Emphasising her usual adherence to littering rules, she denounced the unfair treatment she received and the subsequent impact on her emotional state. Saywell criticised the unjust nature of the fine and the toll it took on her well-being, despite her willingness to pay it. Reflecting on the incident, she expressed frustration at not standing up for herself more assertively at the time.
The incident with Saywell has prompted discussions about the handling of littering fines and the impact on individuals inadvertently caught in such situations. Bromley Council has been approached for comment on the matter. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of fair and reasonable enforcement practices to prevent individuals from feeling unjustly targeted and penalised for unintentional actions.