PEOPLE dropping litter or allowing their dog to foul pavements or public areas could face on-the-spot fines in the Maidstone area from this month.

Police Community Support Officers working in the borough have been given special powers allowing them to hand out £50 fines for the anti-social behaviour.

The scheme, a partnership between the council and the police, is the first of its kind in Kent. Chief Insp Steve Hansford, from Maidstone and Malling Police, said: "We hope it will be adopted by other areas in the county.

"It will enable the PCSOs to use new powers to tackle dog fouling and littering, which will contribute to a cleaner environment for everyone."

There are currently 10 PCSOs patrolling the borough, building relationships with schools, residents and community groups and lowering people's fear of crime.

Trevor Gasson, deputy chief executive of Maidstone Council, added: "Two of the council's top priorities are a clean and tidy borough and community safety and we have worked closely to develop a number of innovative ideas to address the issues that matter to the people of the borough."

The officers were legally allowed to impose fines from 4pm on Monday, July 12.