I WAS in Birkenhead shopping precinct this week and was smoking a roll-up cigarette.

When I'd finished it, as usual, I placed it down a grid and used my foot to make sure it was fully gone.

Within seconds I was faced with an arrogant "officer" telling me I was being fined for littering.

How can putting a cigarette-end down a grid be littering?

I paid the £60 fine, as it goes up to £80 after 14 days, but I also have appealed the "officer's" decision.

Yes, there are litter bins in the precinct but they are lined with plastic bags and I have often seen them smouldering away due to lit cigarettes.

I am on income support and I’m a full-time carer for my 80-year-old, house-bound mother, for whom I was shopping at the time.

I watched this officer for a while and saw him pass the street-drinkers who drop cans and bottles in a no-alcohol zone every day – and he did nothing.

Is it just smokers being fined and if so, in my case, where are the signs saying putting things down grids or drains is littering?

I was born in Birkenhead and it used to be a lovely town.

I honestly wish I could move away now.

You can’t go shopping without being pestered for cash by drinkers who seem to get away with anything as neither the police nor council seem to be interested in doing anything at all about them.

Mark by email.