The council is clamping down on litter louts

Middlesbrough Council has now given the 24 police community support officers the power to issue fixed penalty notices of �50.

They will be handed out to people seen dropping litter or not cleaning up after their dogs.

The council says the new measures are an important weapon in the fight against anti-social behaviour.

The authority hopes they will act as a warning to people to take more greater care of their streets and community areas.

The council's community safety department has welcomed the new powers and has reassured the public they will be used with common sense.