What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

People dropping rubbish face fines of up to £150 from TODAY in a sweeping government crackdown on litter.

The maximum possible fixed penalty notice (FPN) charge for litter and graffiti offences has almost doubled from £80 to £150.

And for the first time, those same penalties can be used against vehicle owners if litter is thrown from their car - even if they aren't in them at the time.

The default littering penalty is also rising from £75 to £100. And the minimum possible penalty will rise from £50 to £65, but only from April 2019.

Total fines can soar beyond £150 if people refuse to pay and are dragged through the courts.

Government officials said councils, cash-strapped thanks to Tory cuts, should not abuse the powers to raise money.

But they added keeping the streets clean cost almost £700million last year.

(Image: South Wales Evening Post)

Guidance will be issued advising council officers to take into account circumstances like a person’s ability to pay.

Town halls’ body the Local Government Association said the move was a “hugely positive step”.

Environment spokesman Martin Tett said the move “will send a strong message to those who think their laziness is more important than the environment in which they live.”

AA President Edmund King said 82% of drivers backed increasing litter fines to £150, with just 6% opposing the move.

Environment minister Therese Coffey added: “Littering blights our communities, spoils our countryside and taxpayers’ money is wasted cleaning it up.”

Motorists are also being encouraged to pass evidence of those dropping wrappers, cans or contents from ash trays out of car windows to the authorities, the Daily Mail reports.