'Any Bin Will Do' is the message from Merton Council to lazy pet owners who face an £80 on-the-spot fine for failing to clean up dog poo.

Litter bugs will also be liable to receive the hefty fine from Sunday, when the council launches its campaign.

To make the job of cleaning up after dogs easier, the council is now allowing all bins to be used for disposing of poo, as opposed to previously designated ones.

Civil enforcement officers, who have been issued with body cameras for the first time this week, will be patrolling parks, open spaces and town centres to ensure the success of this new campaign.

Body cameras to protect Merton civil enforcement officers from aggressive motorists

Merton Council’s cabinet member for environmental cleanliness, Councillor Judy Saunders said: "Since April our enforcement officers have issued over 2,000 fixed penalty notices to people caught littering in our town centres.

"We’re now stepping up our campaign by expanding the patrol to litter and dog fouling hotspots in our parks and open spaces.

"We want everyone to enjoy Merton parks and by saying ‘any bin will do’ we’re making it even easier for dog walkers, so there really are no excuses not to pick up after your dog."

Dog walker Tanya Buller said: "I tend to plan my walk around where the dog waste bins are so being able to use any litter bin will make a big difference to me and encourage other people to pick up after their dog."

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