Pickles gives council green light to introduce spitting byelaw

Under the proposed byelaw, it would be an offence to spit in the street ‘without reasonable excuse’. Spitting into a handkerchief or tissue would not be covered.

Both the Labour and Conservative groups at Enfield have supported the byelaw proposal.

In a letter to the local authority, ministers at the Department for Communities and Local Government highlighted reassurances given by the council in relation to the robustness of the byelaw and its enforcement.

Eric Pickles said: “Spitting is a deeply anti-social and unpleasant practice. Spitting on Britain’s streets is not socially acceptable.

“In light of the cross party support and backing of ruling and opposition groups, we are giving the go-ahead to new powers for Enfield council to tackle these localised problems.”