Easington Council is targeting young people who drop litter

Adults already face on-the-spot fines, but now council bosses in Easington have agreed to extend the scheme to include 10 to 17-year-olds.

The council says the problem is so bad, a strong deterrent is needed.

But the move has come under fire from civil rights group Liberty, which says the fines will "criminalise" families.

Liberty says the fines would criminalise parents and children.

Do we really want to start criminalising children and their parents because a child drops litter? Liberty spokesman

Keith Parkinson, environmental health and licensing manager for Easington, said 150 fines had been issued to adults in the past year.

"We have a lot of problems with littering, dog fouling and abandoned vehicles, and we have a range of ways to tackle it, including a massive amount of education and providing more bins."

The measures are in line with police and Home Office guidelines which say a �50 on-the-spot fine can be imposed for these offences.

Mr Parkinson added: "Parents of those caught will have the opportunity to pay the fine.

"If they don't, we have to take the young person through the legal procedure, including discussions with police, and give them warnings."

'Criminalising children'

But civil rights group Liberty said the plans would cause more problems than they solve and play on people's fear of anti-social behaviour.

A spokesman told the BBC News website: "What happens if they do not pay - do we really want to start criminalising children and their parents because a child drops litter?

"Many families may not be able to afford to pay, so then it is a case of getting a court order and bringing in the bailiffs.

"It very quickly turns into an expensive scheme for taxpayers."

But Mr Parkinson said the fines were a last resort.

"It is very labour intensive but we cannot go on just giving warnings and advice if people ignore it.

"There comes a time when we have to use legal powers."