LITTERERS and graffiti artists have been sent a stark warning by the council after it issued nearly 800 on-the-spot fines across Redbridge during the past two years.

A team of 17 enforcement officers have been prowling the borough's streets handing out penalty notices to anyone found breaking the rules and the authority has vowed to prosecute anyone found committing 'environmental crimes.'

The clampdown, which hass also targeted dog mess, chewing gum, disgarded cigarette butts, fly-posting and fly-tipping, has led to 798 fines being handed out since April 2008.

A council spokeswoman said: "Dropping litter will cost you.

"Fly-tipping, dog fouling, fly-posting, graffiti and throwing your chewing gum and cigarettes on the streets is an environmental crime and Redbridge Council takes this very seriously.

"If anyone is caught taking part in these crimes they may be liable to prosecution and can be issued with an on-the-spot Fixed Penalty Notice(FPN).

"(The council's) Street Scene Enforcement Officers aim to educate residents, shoppers and retailers about the penalties they could face if they commit environmental crimes.

"To further combat these crimes, five mobile CCTV cameras have been purchased and are used to identify offenders who fly tip. Since April 2008 we have issued 798 FPNs for various environmental crimes.

"For more information about FPNs or environmental issues, please contact Street Scene Enforcement on: 8554 5000."