A high profile crackdown on irresponsible dog owners who allow their dogs to foul pavements is to take place, after it emerged no fixed penalty notices were handed out to lawbreakers in more than a year.

Lambeth Council has promised a series of “high profile enforcement blitzes” to kerb the problem - with owners being told to expect a £50 fine if they are caught leaving their pet’s mess on the ground.

Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesman Chris Nicholson said the council had allowed the problem to get "out of control" by not fining unscrupulous dog-walkers.

Now the council - who said they had previously been concentrating on educating dog owners by handing out pooper-scoopers and leaflets - have promised at least two enforcement operations a month in hot spot areas.

Residents of Barcombe Avenue in Streatham Hill and Drewstead Road in Streatham have complained they are particularly badly affected.

Councillor Sally Prentice, cabinet member for environment on Lambeth Council, said: “We are getting tougher on the very small minority of irresponsible owners who let their dogs foul.”

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