A council crackdown on litter fine dodgers resulted in 10 prosecutions.

Harrow Council prosecuted 10 people who failed to pay a £75 fixed penalty notice for dropping cigarette ends.

They were ordered to make payouts totalling more than £4,000 at Willesden Magistrates' Court on February 9 for the offences between July 20 and 29 last year.

Cllr Graham Henson, responsible for environment, crime and safety, said: “We are doing everything we can to ensure that Harrow is kept clean and remains that way.

"Sweeping and cleaning our streets is expensive so it’s only fair that these litterbugs pay.

"Our enforcement officers have caught thousands of people in the act.

"Some think they can ignore a fixed penalty notice but, as these cases show, we will take them to court if they don’t pay up.

"Keeping our streets safe and tidy is all part of our work to build a better Harrow."

Harrow Council environment enforcement officers have been patrolling the streets since July last year issuing fines to anybody seen littering or spitting.

They have issued 3,741 fixed penalty notices since July 2015.

Five of the offenders pleaded guilty by post and were fined £150, plus £300 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Five were found guilty in their absence and fined £200, plus £300 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.