On-the-spot fines for litterbugs

New powers which allow local authorities to issue stiffer, on-the-spot fines of up to £80 for littering, scrawling graffiti or failing to clear up dog mess come into force today.

Under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act, councils can now take action against a range of anti-social behaviour.

People who leave burglar alarms ringing for 20 minutes or more could be fined £100 and those who create a nuisance by repairing their car on the street will face on-the-spot penalties.

Councils will also be able to fine people caught fly-posting.

"For too many years councils have had too little power to tackle people who blight the local area," said David Sparks, chairman of the Local Government Association's Environment Board.

"Larger fines and the ability to issue on the spot penalties will give councils the power to deal effectively with the minority of people and businesses who spoil the local area for the rest of the community."

Other measures include charging stores for the recovery of abandoned shopping trolleys and allowing councils to remove abandoned cars more quickly.

"I see no reason why we won't start seeing a marked difference in the quality of our neighbourhoods within the next two or three years," said environment minister Ben Bradshaw.