CHILDREN as young as 10 should face on-the-spot fines for enviro-crimes such as graffiti and litter dropping, according to a councillor.

Portfolio holder for environment and leisure Councillor Colin Smith says it is time to get tough with youngsters.

His comments follow Bromley Council's adopting of the London Councils' guidelines on standard rates for fines.

Under the guidelines, people littering will have 10 days to pay a £50 fine.

This will then rise to £80 if they do not pay within 14 days.

They could face a maximum fine of £2,500 if found guilty on conviction.

There are different fines for other enviro-crimes such as graffiti, noise and fly-posting.

Since last May, anyone over the age of 17 caught committing an enviro-crime could be issued with a fixed penalty notice.

But Cllr Smith says Bromley should go even further - as the law allows - and fine those aged between 10 and 17.

He said: "It is quite beyond me why children who are old enough to drink, smoke and have children are exempt from being issued with fixed penalty notices.

"It is my strongly-held view children of secondary school age know right from wrong."

He added: "We are not concerned with the child who turns out his pocket to find his Oyster card but with the child who finishes smoking a packet of cigarettes and tosses away his cigarette butt.

"What Bromley Council is seeking is a balanced approach and looks to punish any individual who is wilfully flouting civic behaviour."

His views have been criticised by Barbara Peacock, director of children's services for children's charity NCH London.

She said: "Many people want their neighbourhoods to be free from anti-social behaviour, litter and graffiti.

"But issuing fixed penalty notices to children as young as 10 is not the answer.

"They need to be given the opportunity to get involved with youth programmes and positive activities, not to be branded as criminals at such an early age."

  • Since last May, 135 fixed penalty notices have been served in Bromley.