NEW powers to allow Stroud District Council to issue on-the-spot fines for offences such as dropping litter and spraying graffiting will come into force in the New Year.

A team of officials will be able to serve fixed penalty notices for a wide range of low-level anti-social and environmental crimes.

Joe Forbes, cabinet member for community services, said: "The aim of the powers is to make a better environment, both for local people and for visitors.

"There is nothing more off-putting than walking into a filthy, rubbish-strewn town centre.

"This will boost tourism and local trade."

The new powers, under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act, allow local authorities to act more quickly and cheaply than the courts.

A lead-in period started in April, when officers started warning residents who contacted the council that notices would soon be issued.

The council also publicised the changes through other methods including bus adverts, press releases and posters in shops and colleges.

From January 1, a team of 16 officers will be able to issue fines for offences they have witnessed or have been reported to them by their teams.

This can only be done where there is evidence to support a prosecution in the courts if the offender declines the option of a notice.

Officers will gather evidence on patrols during their routine work and will also investigate tip-offs from the public.

Anyone seen dropping litter from a vehicle will receive a letter explaining their option to accept a notice.

PCSOs will also be able to serve notices.

Cllr Forbes stressed notices would be issued ‘sensibly and judiciously’ and on a ‘common sense basis’.

"If someone is seen dropping a piece of litter quite accidentally they aren’t going to be jumped upon and fined," he said.

"But if someone is seen deliberately throwing litter or allowing stuff to blow off the back of a lorry then they will be stopped and fined."

Offenders who pay within 10 days will get a reduction while those who default after 14 days could be prosecuted.

The council expects the most common offence will be littering.

All the money must be spent on tackling environmental crimes.

Some of the offences, full fines and discounted fined: Littering: £75, £50 Graffiti and flyposting: £75, £50 Nuisance parking: £100, £60 Unauthorised distribution of free material: £75, £50