LITTER louts are being targeted in a crackdown to clean up the streets of Wyre Forest.

More than a dozen enforcement officers will be patrolling Bewdley tomorrow and Kidder-minster on Saturday, following a similar blitz of Stourport last Friday.

Offenders committing the act could find it costly, as the officers have the power to impose £50 on-the-spot fines, while the scale of fines could escalate through the courts to £2,500 for littering.

As well as people dropping litter on the street or from their cars, dog owners who do not clean up mess left by their pets might also have to pay fines of up to £1,000.

Councillor Marcus Hart, Wyre Forest District Council's cabinet member for commercial services, said: "There is no excuse for dropping litter and we hope people in the Wyre Forest district will support our crackdown. We want to keep the district tidy and we are ready to issue any litterbugs or irresponsible dog owners with a £50 fixed penalty notice.

"It is a criminal offence to drop or leave litter and people can be fined up to £2,500. Dog owners who don't clean up after their pets could face fines of up to £1,000."

He added: "The majority of people do take pride in their area but there is a minority who continue to act irresponsibly.

"We want to make the district a better place to live, work, visit and do business in and this campaign will help us achieve that."

Businesses are also being urged to enter into the spirit of the clean-up campaign by making sure the fronts and rears of their premises are kept tidy and litter-free.

They are being reminded to ensure their waste is removed properly and responsibly.

Flyposters and graffiti scrawlers will be among individuals to be tackled by the enforcement officers.