People caught begging in Barking town centre can now be handed a £100 on-the-spot fine thanks to new powers passed by the council.

Barking and Dagenham Post: A map of the areas covered by the new PSPO. Picture: LBBDA map of the areas covered by the new PSPO. Picture: LBBD (Image: LBBD)

The order categorises begging alongside urinating and spitting as “anti-social behaviour,” with Cllr Laila Butt saying the council is looking to take on the “small minority who make people’s lives a misery.”

Public drinking, harassment and causing alarm or distress are also being cracked down on by the council.

The council consulted the public on the PSPO and a similar order is in place in Broad Street, Dagenham, although begging is not prohibited.

Councillor Laila Butt, cabinet member for enforcement and community safety, said: “We are committed to tackling all forms of anti-social behaviour across the borough. We want to make it clear to the small minority who make people’s lives a misery that we will not stand for it.”

The council is also consulting on a PSPO for the area around Dagenham Heathway.