Litter louts could be slapped with on-the-spot fines if a motion is supported by the authorities in Dover.

Labour Cllr Peter Wallace said “it’s time to get tough with fly-tippers”, following his efforts in earlier months to clear the Folkestone Road area of rubbish.

Cllr Wallace will put his points forward at a Dover District Council meeting tonight (Wednesday), to lobby the department for environment, food and rural affairs.

He wants to bring in laws similar to those in Scotland where councils are allowed to issue the penalties without starting court proceedings.

Cllr Wallace said: “It’s time to send out a message that fly-tipping is wrong. It’s a crime, it costs to clean up and it brings the area down.

'It’s a crime, it costs to clean up and it brings the area down.' - Cllr Wallace

“This year DDC let off someone who was filmed dumping bags of waste into the River Dour but they’ve fined people for dropping cigarette butts.

“We need some fairness in the system and making it easier to fine fly-tippers would do that.”

The motion also asks that the offenders are enrolled in clean-up schemes that are put on throughout the year.

Labour Cllr John Heron has pledged his support, he said: “I think this motion, if the Conservative council agree to it, is the right mix of letting people know they won’t be let off if they’re caught but also it will educate them why they shouldn’t be doing it in the first place. It’ll tackle the crime and root of the crime.

“Peter and I have been out in the ward dealing with fly-tipping and when it’s gone the whole area feels better. We need to see that for the whole of the Dover district.”