POLL: Do you think people should be prosecuted for spitting in Redbridge?
A councillor has called for people who spit in Redbridge streets to be punished after two people were prosecuted in Waltham Forest.
In a landmark case, two men were fined £300 each at Thames Magistrates’ Court on September 20 under the same powers used to enforce litter laws.
Cllr Ashok Kumar told Redbridge Council’s area committee six he would like the same enforcement in Redbridge on Tuesday.
He said: “I think we should be proactive – we keep waiting for other boroughs to do things and now they have.”
The council had previously looked into changing bylaws so people caught spitting on CCTV could be fined.
But in Waltham Forest, spitting was classified as littering, meaning existing laws could be used.
When the two men did not pay the council’s £80 on-the-spot fines on them, magistrates upheld the council’s decision that spitting could be prosecuted under anti-litter legislation - meaning other councils can follow suit.
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Do you think spitting deserves a fine or even prosecution? Answer our poll.
Let us know what you think of spitting in Redbridge by calling 0208 477 3821 or emailing lizzie.dearden@archant.co.uk.
