LITTER wardens have targeted young foreign smokers with £75 fines without a warning.

This morning (Tuesday) outside The Argus's newsroom, enforcement officers for council subcontractor 3GS watched young foreign students having their morning cigarettes then crossed the road to issue a £75 fine for dropping cigarette ends.

They did not warn the students, most of whom are from overseas and some of whom are under eighteen, they would be liable for penalties.

One officer, Greg Kirrage, fined a British 22-year-old who grew up in Africa £75.

When interviewed on camera Mr Kirrage told us we would be "liable for prosecution" if we shared the video.

While being interviewed Mr Kirrage said: "This is nothing to do with you. Go away."

The student, Rafiq Bubeteina, admitted immediately he was at fault for dropping his cigarette, but said he should have been issued a warning by the enforcement officers who were watching him smoke it.

It was his first day at EC language college on Manchester Street.

He said: "This is totally out of order because he didn't even give me a warning.

"I think he was waiting - the moment I threw the cigarette he walked up to me. He was looking at me."

The Argus has repeatedly reported residents' concerns about the “heavy-handed” tactics of the environmental enforcement officers handing out littering fines.

The private company, which is contracted by Brighton and Hove City Council, has been operating in the city since March 2016.

The firm is not paid but takes two-thirds of the fines they issue.

After their first six months of operation The Argus revealed the firm had issued 480 fines to smokers but only five for littering.

A council spokesperson said: “The city council has a duty to our residents, businesses and tourist to keep our streets clean and litter free.

"Throwing cigarette butts on the ground is illegal and 3GS is carrying out the law when it fines offenders. However, anyone issued with a fine for littering can request a review by contacting finesadmin@3gs.co.uk.

“The council frequently receives complaints about the number of cigarette butts littering the city centre’s street where groups congregate to smoke, including Manchester Street, and a recent council survey shows the vast majority of our residents support fines for littering.”

The spokesman added: “3GS enforcement officers do not ‘spy’ or ‘pounce’ on people, but carry out their lawful duties if they see an offence being committed.”

A petition asking the council to cancel the 3GS contract currently has 550 signatures.

To sign the petition go to https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/brighton-hove-council-to-terminate-3gs-private-waste-enforcement-contract