An East London council is set to be the first to issue on-the-spot fines for people using prostitutes.

Following a public consultation Redbridge Council has introduced £100 fines in a drive to crack down on the activity in one of its main thoroughfares.

The council said at least half the men who use prostitutes in Ilford Lane are thought to live in the area.

Last weekend police arrested two people and issued a 48 hour dispersal order to 24 others.

Other measure include extra night police patrols throughout the weekend, additional enforcement officers, improved lighting, gating alleyways and more CCTV cameras to make Ilford Lane a more 'hostile environment' for offenders.

Council leader Jas Athwal said: ‘We want to clean up Ilford Lane for good and we are working closely with the police and our partner organisations to put a stop to the illegal activity in the area.'

He added: 'We are getting tough on crime and want to create a ‘ring of steel’ around the borough to protect our residents and make Redbridge a better place to live.'