The DNA testing of dog poo has helped a London borough reduce dog mess in its parks by 50%.

Barking and Dagenham Council became the first authority in the UK to use the new technology and has now reported a 50% drop in the number of dog faeces left in the parks within the pilot area.

Council leader Darren Rodwell said: ‘It’s still early days but it looks like our drive to encourage considerate dog ownership is having success.

‘But it looks as though there are a hard core of inconsiderate dog owners out there who haven’t got the message yet that it’s unacceptable not to pick up after your pet. It’s why we will be introducing some sort of enforceable action later in the year – in what guise that will be will be shaped by the outcome of the pilot scheme.’

The scheme will involve collecting a dog’s DNA through a painless cheek swab, which is then stored in the local registry. A test taken from the faeces can then be traced back to the owner’s home.