Litterbugs were given hefty £80 on-the-spot fines, as part of Wandsworth Council's latest crackdown on people who throw rubbish on the street.

The council's anti-litter squad caught 14 people outside Tooting Bec Tube station last Tuesday.

The operation followed a similar initiative at Tooting Broadway station recently with 15 receiving fines and saw verbal warnings issued to 120 others.

They have 10 days to pay a £55 fine.

If they do not pay, it will increase to £80. If fines are still unpaid after 28 days, they could face £5,000 fines in court.

The council's environment spokesman, Councillor Malcolm Grimston, said: “The message needs to go out to people that if they drop a cigarette butt on the street, or some chewing gum or an empty drink can – then there is a good chance that they will be given a pretty hefty fine.”

More operations are planned at Balham and Clapham Junction stations in the next few weeks.

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