Our streets are finally looking cleaner and the council has the cash to prove it.

More than 500 £75 penalty notices have been issued to litter louts in Dartford since patrols were introduced in January, with 40% of them already paid.

That equates to more than £15,000 in fines collected so far and council leader Jeremy Kite (Con) is delighted with how the town centre is looking.

“The litter patrol is going really well, the town is looking cleaner as we had hoped,” said Cllr Kite, who approved bringing in the officers following consultation with residents in October.

“We have got record as a council as not usually being one of these fining, ‘in your face’ kind of councils, but the problem with the litter became unacceptable.”

People who drop litter, cigarette butts and those who do not clear up after their dogs are among those to fall foul of the litter patrols.

“The litter patrol is going really well, the town is looking cleaner as we had hoped." - Cllr Jeremy Kite.

Cllr Kite said those who have been fined “are not happy at all”, but stressed that the solution was obvious; do not drop the litter.

Businesses are also being urged to ensure their waste is disposed of correctly, with the council promising to make sure litter bins are emptied regularly and to support the work of groups dedicated to keeping the borough clean.

Residents took to social media to back the initiative.

Ana Missach said it was “about time” for a crackdown on littering, while Julie May said it showed the council were “on the right track”.