Today the Guardian joined council officers as they patrolled the streets looking for people committing so-called 'enviro-crimes' in Walthamstow.

A recently-launched campaign, 'Don't Mess With Waltham Forest', warns anyone inclined to commit a wide range of offences, including spitting, littering and fly-tipping, that they could be issued with on-the-spot fines.

Not many people would argue that these practices are unacceptable, and the borough has more than its fair share of dumped matresses and discarded detritus.


But what does the clampdown mean in reality? The decision to issue fines for spitting, for example, has prompted a debate on whether it is really enforceable - and legally sound.


Recent prosecutions and plethora of fixed penalty notices would suggest the investment is paying off, so the Guardian joined newly-trained staff to see how the public is reacting to the new initiative.


After half an hour of the Guardian standing with officers in the The Baker’s Arms area, on the border between Leyton and Walthamstow, a fine was issued to a man spotted dropping litter, another fixed penalty notice soon followed for a man seen spitting.


Officers position themselves in busy places hoping the message will get around that such behaviour could incur a financial penalty and create a deterrent.


Passers-by appeared to support the campaign.


Bob Robertson, 83, of The Crescent, Walthamstow, said: “I’m hoping they introduce it a bit more, especially at the bus station.


“It doesn’t take a second to put something in the bin does it?”