Harrow Council has appealed to the public to help it renew an order that will allow it to hand out on the spot fines for anti-social behaviour.

It is consulting on its public spaces protection order (PSPO) that covers spitting, urinating or defecating on public land, street drinking, smoking in play areas, failing to pick up after dogs, and driving over footpaths.

Residents are invited to have their say on the measures and, if they are renewed, officers will have the power to take immediate enforcement actions – including fines – if the rules are broken.

Cllr Varsha Parmar, who is responsible for the environment at Harrow Council, said: “Like all our residents and businesses, I want to see a clean, safe and trouble-free borough.

“Sadly, there are some individuals who are intent on making Harrow a dirty and unpleasant place to live and work – and that is totally unacceptable.

“We need your help so that we can keep the protection order in place to continue taking tough action anyone caught destroying our neighbourhoods or causing a nuisance to others.”

The council explained that the PSPO means offenders can be handed fixed-penalty notices as a punishment and to deter them from repeating their actions.

If they fail to pay, they could be prosecuted by the Magistrates Court.

Visit consult.harrow.gov.uk/consult.ti/PSPO2/consultationHome to take part in the consultation.