£55,120 in fines have been issued to people for spitting on London pavements

Josh Pettitt Published: 06 February 2015 Updated: 11:29, 06 February 2015

Almost 700 people have been forced to pay out fines totaling tens of thousands of pounds for spitting in London’s streets, the Standard can reveal.

Every London borough now has the power to fine people for spitting in public after Communities Secretary Eric Pickles last month agreed to a fixed £80 penalty scheme drawn up by London Councils.

Following a Freedom of Information request, it can be revealed that the three boroughs who have already introduced bans have fined 689 people up to £55,120.

Newham council was the first to ban spitting in April 2011, with its wardens issuing 634 fines.

Waltham Forest council followed suit in February 2013, also using the Environmental Protection Act 1990 by categorising spit as “litter”, to fine 42 people.

Under by-laws introduced in November 2013, Enfield Council has issued 14 fines - although one person managed to successfully challenge the fine in court.

All of London’s 33 boroughs can now fine people £80 for spitting after Mr Pickles rubber-stamped the penalties drawn up by London Councils’ transport and environment committee. He had previously branded spitting a “deeply anti-social and unpleasant practice.” The fine can be cut to £50 if it is paid within 14 days.

A spokesman for London Councils said: “Anti-social spitting impacts people’s quality of life. This is exactly the sort of measure boroughs can and should implement to make their local areas more pleasant places to live and work.”

Cllr Ian Corbett, mayor advisor for environment and leisure in Newham, said: “Spitting is an unhygienic and anti-social act which our residents should not have to witness or walk through. “We began issuing fines in response to complaints from residents and we consider that spitting is as disgusting as dropping litter or fly tipping on our streets.

“By issuing these £80 fines we are sending out a strong message that this horrible behaviour will not be tolerated in the borough.”

It is up to town halls how to police and impose penalties, which could even apply to footballers spitting during games in public parks.

People who spit in public are unlikely to be fined if they have a “reasonable excuse” or if they do so into a handkerchief, tissue, bin, spittoon or other receptacle.