Havering Council has introduced a new enforcement team to crack down on litter louts.

The uniformed officers can hand out FPNs to those found littering, fly-tipping, not clearing up dog mess and being in breach of our PSPOs (Public Space Protection Orders).

In addition, they will also be responsible for locking and unlocking park gates.

The officers are provided by NES (National Enforcement Solutions) to work on behalf of the Council and to work alongside our existing enforcement team to help make the borough safer and cleaner.

Income from fines will pay for the service and will also contribute towards the wider enforcement team and other educational and environmental projects.

In their first week on patrol, they have already issued over 300 on-the-spot fines for dropped litter and other environmental crime.

They issued 319 Fixed Penalty Notices [FPNs] to people found littering including dropping chewing gum and cigarette butts.

The officers were in Romford Town Centre where the level of littering is high but they will also be patrolling other parts of the borough too.

The fines are set at around £150 for littering but officers can also issue other fines of up to £400 for fly-tipping and commercial waste offences.