London borough seeks to become first council to ban spitting through by-law

Enfield Council is seeking to become the first borough in the country to ban spitting.

The local authority’s legal team has drafted a proposed by-law, under which individuals caught spitting would face a fixed penalty notice. If they refuse to pay, they could face prosecution and a fine of up to £5,000.

Enfield has now submitted the draft to Whitehall for permission to implement it in the borough.

If the government approves the move, the by-law will come into force within a month.

The council said residents were “overwhelmingly in favour” of the ban. More than 3,000 people have signed a petition backing the campaign.

Cllr Chris Bond, Enfield's Cabinet Member for Environment, said: "Spitting is a truly disgusting habit and the vast majority of people are in favour of us banning it.

"It is now up to the government to decide whether or not we can ban spitting in this borough and I'd urge them to listen to the views of people living here and give us the ability to tackle this foul practice once and for all."