A crackdown on spitting and littering will soon take place after more than 3,000 people signed a petition.

Starting in the New Year, Harrow Borough Council is introducing £75 on-the-spot fines for people caught spitting and littering in the street.

The announcement was welcomed by people in Harrow town centre, although there were concerns about enforcement.

Margaret Stiles, 77, from Rayners Lane, said: “I am all for the ban, if you can catch them. It is absolutely disgusting. It is a big issue. Chewing gum is equally as poisonous.

“It will be very hard to enforce. I don’t know if you will ever stop people from doing it.”

Ryan Murphy, a student at Harrow College, said: “I don’t think it’s a really big issue, but it is unpleasant. People would probably be more discreet about it.”

The 18-year-old, from Greenford, added: “I don’t really notice it. On the odd occasion you do, it’s a bit gross.”

Kumar Kumarathasan, 68, a retired pharmacist from Northwood Hills, welcomed the ban. He said: “It’s a very good idea for everybody. Spitting is a big problem, and it can spread germs.

“A ban would be good for the environment. It’s a case of trial and error.”

Philip Howe, 68, a heating engineer from Kenton, agreed the ban would improve the area. He said: “Spitting affects the town centre. It will make people think twice before doing it. I don’t think littering is as bad, but at night time it can be a bit hairy.”

Marlborough Councillor Varsha Parmar, portfolio holder for environment, crime and community safety, said: “Everyone in Harrow has a part to play in keeping our streets clean. Spitting is a disgusting habit and littering makes our streets look filthy.

“Introducing these fines shows we will no longer tolerate this behaviour and we are committed to tackling this problem. However, this is not all about enforcement; our priority is to educate and work with the community to ensure that people won’t spit or litter in the first place – this is just the start of our work with residents to keep the streets clean.”