Fines on their own will not stop people dropping litter, according to local government leaders, following a poll finding most councils issue very few if any penalties to litterers.
The Local Government Association said responsibility for litter lies with the person dropping it and fines were a useful tool but on their own will not stop littering.
A poll by campaigning group Clean Up Britain said the amount of littering was 'shameful' and that enforcement of fines by councils should be made compulsory.
It said the maximum on-the-spot fine of £150 was 'derisory' and should be increased to £1,000.
The poll, using data from freedom of information requests, found most councils issue less than one fine a week to litterers and one in six issuing no fines at all over the space of a year, while a handful of local authorities in England and Wales issued more than 100 a week.
Clean Up Britain received replies to their freedom of information requests from 169 councils, representing more than half of councils in England and Wales.
John Read, the group's founder, said: 'It’s depressing, shameful and embarrassing what a dump this country has become.
'Litter is a complex issue and there is no single silver bullet. However, it is very important to have an effective and punitive deterrent and that is totally lacking in Britain.'
The LGA's Darren Rodwell said: “Councils are working hard to keep parks, streets and public spaces free from litter.
'Responsibility for litter lies with the person dropping it. Fines are a useful tool but on their own will not stop littering.'
