Litter wardens have been accused of “looking for easy pickings” after raking in half-a-million-pounds in one district during a single year.

More than 3,500 fixed penalty notices were meted out throughout Canterbury, with the lion’s share concentrated in the city centre.

Initially, National Enforcement Solutions was drafted in to tackle the mess strewn across coastal hotspots like Whitstable and Herne Bay.

But latest figures show almost nine out of ten fines were meted out in Canterbury, with Northgate - one of the most deprived wards - absorbing the lion’s share.

The city centre ward accounted for 38 percent of all fines since May last year, sparking “serious concerns” from its councillor Alan Baldock.

Cllr Baldock, who is leader of the local Labour group, said: “Littering in our streets is completely and utterly unacceptable, it needs knocking on the head.

“But I have serious concerns that such considerable time is spent by these officers patrolling private car parks. Is it the most appropriate use of time?

“People expect enforcement officers to chase down fly-tippers or litterers in streets in alleyways, not chasing people around car parks.

“The data is probably skewed by the areas they’re patrolling - it feels like they’re looking for easy pickings.”

But a spokesman for Canterbury City Council stressed National Enforcement, which has recently been awarded a year-long contract extension, has helped clean up the district.

The authority stressed it is “pleased overall” with the firm and said “we don’t actually set out to fine anybody”.

"This type of enforcement work alongside the additional cleaning resources that we have put in place over the last year, together result in a cleaner district for everyone to enjoy, and that can only be a good thing,” they continued.

"As we head towards summer, with increased footfall and greater risk of littering, there will be considerably more enforcement resources focused on the coastal towns.

“However, fundamentally, we don't actually set out to fine anybody. If you don't want a fine, don't drop litter. It really is as basic as that.”

National Enforcement is expected to make 70 per cent of revenue from fines, whereas the city council receives the rest.

It is understood the city council could net up to £157k as a result of the warden’s work, with the enforcement company taking just under £370,000.

Recently, a builder hit out at wardens for fining him as he donated his deceased father’s garments at a designated clothes bank in a supermarket car park.

Russell Cutmore called the enforcers “predators” after being wrongly fined at Wincheap Morrisons - although the council has since backpedalled.

Enforcement officers slapped Mr Cutmore with the penalty notice after he dropped his late father’s clothes at a Salvation Army collection point.

The 58-year-old told KentOnline he “was stunned” after enforcers “pounced” on him for giving away the belongings in good faith.

“They sat there in their car watching me like predators,” he said.

The council soon confirmed it cancelled the fine which “should not have been issued”.

Meanwhile, Conservative councillor for Reculver, Rachel Carnac, is confident the firm is “doing whatever their remit is”.

She added: “I can’t criticise them on those grounds but what I would say is the council needs to look at where there are specific issues in the district.

“They’ve got enough historic input on that, they know where the pressure points are and what times those issues occur and that’s where and when they should be asking NES to direct their efforts.

“We don’t want people coming here and feeling like they’ve got Big Brother looking over their shoulder but with the summer season coming up there should be more focus on the seafront.

“Everywhere you go there’s occasionally the odd blip but between the businesses in Reculver and the residents I feel most people behave appropriately and appreciate the seaside.”