A mother in mourning has spoken out after being issued a £100 littering fine in Bromley, south east London, when a receipt accidentally fell out of her handbag. Jayne Saywell, aged 56, was on Bromley High Street, trying to lift her mood after her father’s passing. As she exited TK Maxx, a gust of wind blew the receipt out of her bag. Saywell, a beauty therapist, saw the paper but did not immediately recognize it and continued walking. However, she was confronted by an environmental enforcement officer who fined her £100.
Saywell expressed feeling harassed and unjustly targeted, stating she offered to retrieve the receipt but was not allowed to. She emphasised that it was an inadvertent incident and that she felt like a criminal. Saywell, a mother of two from Keston, appealed the fine, requesting the council to review the situation as she believes the footage will demonstrate it was unintentional. Sharing her experience on social media, she found support from others who shared similar stories.
Several individuals, especially women, reached out to Saywell with their own encounters of unjust fines. Despite feeling unfairly treated, she mentioned paying the fine begrudgingly but highlighted the emotional toll it took on her. Saywell expressed her frustration with the situation and the impact it had on her day. Bromley Council has been approached for comments on the matter.