PM urges members of the public to ‘tick off’ people who litter

Boris Johnson urges members of the public to ‘tick off’ anyone who litters as he says people ‘must obey the basic laws of respect for others’ as easing of lockdown sees outdoor picnic surge

  • Boris Johnson has said members of the public should ‘tick off’ people who litter
  • The Prime Minister said he ‘abhors litter’ and shares peoples’ ‘indignation’ at it
  • Said everyone ‘must obey the laws of respect for others’ and pick up their litter 


Boris Johnson today urged members of the public to challenge people who litter and ‘tick them off’. 

The Prime Minister said he ‘abhors litter’ and shares peoples’ ‘indignation’ at those who fail to tidy up after themselves. 

The easing of lockdown rules has prompted a surge in the number of people meeting in public spaces for picnics and cups of coffee to catch up with friends and relatives. 

But Mr Johnson said everyone ‘must obey the basic laws of respect’ for other people after widespread photographs of parks being left covered in rubbish. 

He also warned that the Government is increasing on-the-spot fines for littering.  

Boris Johnson today urged members of the public to challenge people who litter and ‘tick them off’

The easing of lockdown rules has prompted a surge in the number of people meeting in public spaces for picnics and cups of coffee to catch up with friends and relatives. Primrose Hill in central London is pictured on April 5.

The easing of lockdown rules has prompted a surge in the number of people meeting in public spaces for picnics and cups of coffee to catch up with friends and relatives. Primrose Hill in central London is pictured on April 5. 

The issue was raised in the House of Commons during Prime Minister’s Questions by Conservative MP Gareth Davies. 

He said: ‘Will the Prime Minister join me in backing the Grantham Journal’s spring clean campaign, and can he assure my constituents the Government are doing all it can to help tackle littering?’

Mr Johnson replied: ‘I share (Mr Davies’) indignation about litter and I do think it’s one of the things upon which the whole of the country, and I hope the whole of the House, is united.

‘That’s why we’re doing the Respect The Outdoors campaign to encourage people to follow the Countryside Code, to pick up their litter.

‘Obviously a lot of people are meeting outdoors at the moment because of the pandemic; they must obey the basic laws of respect for other people, pick up their litter.

Mr Johnson said everyone 'must obey the basic laws of respect' for other people after widespread photographs of parks and public spaces being left covered in rubbish. Potters Field Park next to Tower Bridge in central London is pictured on April 1

Mr Johnson said everyone ‘must obey the basic laws of respect’ for other people after widespread photographs of parks and public spaces being left covered in rubbish. Potters Field Park next to Tower Bridge in central London is pictured on April 1 

‘We’re putting money into new litter bins and we are increasing fines, on-the-spot fines, for littering.

‘I know that there will be many libertarians in this place who think that’s unfair and draconian; personally, I think it’s the right thing to do.

‘I abhor litter and I urge anybody who sees anybody throwing away a crisp packet to tick them off and tell them to pick it up.’