STRICTER laws aimed to crack down on on-the-road litterers come into effect this month.

The district council's environmental neighbourhood officers will soon be able to hand out fines to drivers if it can be proved rubbish was dropped from their vehicle.

This closes a legal loophole which required the litterer, rather than the vehicle owner, to be identified - a difficult task on fast moving roads.

The punishment is a civil penalty akin to parking penalty charge notices, which includes an internal and external appeals process using the Traffic

Penalty Tribunal as an independent adjudicator.

The penalty doubles and becomes a civil debt if unpaid.

In a report to be seen by Epping Forest District Council next week, environmental portfolio holder Will Breare-Hall wrote: "The external appeals process is not yet in place. When details have been confirmed, officers will be looking to introduce a procedure to use the new penalty to tackle littering from vehicles.

"Also from April 2018, the maximum fine local authorities can issue for dropping litter will increase, from £80 to £150.

"The minimum fine will increase from £50 to £65, while the default fine will increase from £75 to £100."