Constable Simon Crowcroft said that streets in the centre of town were generally in a good state but that one of the key problems facing street cleaners was cigarette butts being dropped on the ground or in gutters.
He has called for anti-littering laws – which could result in fines worth hundreds of pounds – to be enforced to encourage smokers to change their ways.
He said: ‘I think there needs to be a complete culture change, much like when people had to wear seat belts.
‘People need to know they will be fined. It only takes the States police to hand out one or two top fines of £500 and people will think twice.
‘Smokers should take responsibility for their cigarette butts and carry something around to put them in, or bin them.’
Despite this issue, Mr Crowcroft said the general state of St Helier when it came to litter was great and above what is seen in UK high streets.
He said the town centre was cleaned several times a day and the parish continued to invest in new technology and equipment to keep it tidy. Mr Crowcroft admitted that he had received complaints about rubbish in certain car parks, but he said this was beyond the control of the parish.
He added: ‘Snow Hill is an area we have had a few complaints about, but that power has not be devolved to us.
‘The parish has control of street cleaning and litter isn’t a problem in St Helier. We get comments from tourists who come here and say it is better than a lot of high streets in the UK.’
