A council has vowed to start fining residents who spit or drop litter, as part of a drive to combat anti-social behaviour.
New powers to be introduced by Harrow Council next year will see people caught spitting or dropping waste in local streets hit with a £75 fixed penalty notice.
The move comes 'as a direct response' to concerns raised by residents and businesses in a petition that attracted over 3,000 signatures.
An extensive communication programme will be rolled out from next month to educate the public about the incoming fines.
Cllr Varsha Parmar, portfolio holder for environment, crime and community safety said: 'The residents spoke and we listened. I am delighted to announce that after receiving a petition from residents we have now been able to introduce on the spot fines for littering and spitting in Harrow.
'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.'
Communities secretary Eric Pickles has historically slammed spitted as an 'unpleasant' practice that is 'not socially acceptable' on Britain's streets.
Enfield LBC has also introduced a bye-law to make spitting in the street an offence.
