FOUR smokers who dropped cigarette ends in the street have been fined as a council aims to crack down on littering.

All four women had ignored reminders about fixed penalty notices served on them by Sunderland City Council for dropping a cigarette end in the city and walking away.

Neighbourhood Enforcement Officers from the local authority witnessed the defendants littering and issued each a penalty notice for £150.

None of them were paid despite several reminder letters being sent which resulted in legal proceedings being taken against them.

The four failed to attend hearings at Sunderland Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, June 16, and the cases against them were proved in their absence.

Jessica Talbot, of Front Street, Sherburn Hill, near Durham; Caroline Johnson, of Topaz Street, Seaham; Samantha Davison, of Lichfield Road, Sunderland; and Leoni Simpson, of Esdale, Ryhope, were each issued a £220 fine and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £34 and costs of £235.

Deputy Leader of Sunderland City Council, Councillor Claire Rowntree, said: "We feel that the fines issued in court send a very strong message to residents.

"We will not tolerate careless and thoughtless littering in our city centre or neighbourhoods.

"We are continuing to take enforcement action against people we catch dropping litter, including cigarettes.

"Those found to be littering our city will face a penalty notice and could end up in court."

The four people involved in these cases are the latest to be up in court for littering offences as the council continues to take tougher enforcement action against those dropping rubbish.

Sunderland City Council urges anyone who witnesses littering or fly-tipping to report it online at sunderland.gov.uk/report-litter