Well done Alice Arnold – litter louts beware

When BBC newsreader Alice Arnold took on a litter lout last week, she struck a long overdue blow for decent, civilised people. The fact that her actions received widespread media coverage, demonstrates, I hope, that these civilised people are ready for a change of approach. Direct action in place of resentful silence.

Littering is one of the most irritating and selfish forms of anti-social behaviour that so blights this country, causing a constant, dull ache. I always find it deeply depressing to drive from my home in Tunbridge Wells towards the coast, through what is otherwise an area of outstanding beauty, and see the roadside strewn with the remnants of takeaways, plastic bottles, crisp packets, old newspapers and goodness knows what else.

It doesn’t need to be this way. In Germany, for instance, the streets are usually spotless. Unfortunately, and to our deep shame, this country has allowed a culture of selfishness and an absence of community spirit to take hold, and littering is just one of its manifestations.

We’re still a long way from the tipping point where it will become a matter of course for litter louts to be confronted and at least made to think about their actions. But perhaps we are at the stage where there will be more public debate – and therefore more media debate – about the benefits and risks of decent, ordinary people taking matters into their own hands.