Alice Arnold Takes On Litter Lout

Chiswick newsreader praised for tackling driver who throws bottle on road

BBC newsreader and Chiswick resident Alice Arnold has won national praise for her efforts to tackle a litter lout.

The 49-year old civil partner of television presenter Clare Balding, took action when she saw a motorist throw a purple plastic bottle out of a car, while she was driving behind.

The plucky Radio Four journalist quickly got out of her car, picked up the bottle and hurled it back through the driver’s window.

The incident happened near Hampton Court, Surrey as she was returning from lunch with her parents shortly after 3 p.m. on the Bank Holiday last Monday. But she shrugged off the title of 'litter crusader” saying she was " not brave, merely cross”.

‘Because we were sitting in stationary traffic we weren’t going anywhere. So I just got out and picked it up and threw it back in.

‘‘It was a youngish couple with a few piercings. They didn’t say anything when I did it but they looked surprised. My heart beat a bit faster but I’m still alive.’

The couple did not react – or even throw the bottle back out.

After mentioning the incident on Twitter, she has received huge support from friends online.

After the incident, Clare Balding wrote: ‘I was in the car behind and thought ‘what the hell is she doing?’ Then I thought “That’s my girl”.’

Miss Arnold formalised her relationship with Miss Balding with a civil partnership ceremony at Chiswick House six years ago.

A recent survey found 97 per cent of people view litter as a problem which is damaging their everyday quality of life.

The amount dropped in the UK has increased by 500 per cent since the 1960s.

More than 30million tons are collected from our streets each year.

May 11, 2012