People caught street drinking or begging aggressively in parts of Waltham Forest could now be hit with on-the-spot £100 fines.

Waltham Forest council is introducing Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) in Walthamstow and Leytonstone in a bid to tackle: “growing concerns about anti- social behaviour”.

The move, signed off by council cabinet members last week, will see people fined instantly for committing one of several anti-social behaviour offences from September.

Police, PCSOs and council officers would be able to write tickets for street drinking, aggressive begging, urination and threatening behaviour, or to people congregating to take drugs or cause a nuisance to neighbours.

Deputy council leader, Clyde Loakes, said: “It is simply not right that residents and visitors to our high streets and town centres should feel intimidated, threatened or hassled by congregations of street drinkers, aggressive and intimidatory begging and verbal abuse.

“By introducing Public Space Protection Orders we can start to address these concerns and help make our streets and town centres more welcoming for our residents and visitors.”

The order will cover Leytonstone, Cann Hall, Cathall, Grove Green, Leyton, Lea Bridge, Forest, Wood Street, Higham Hill, High Street, Hoe Street, William Morris and Markhouse wards.

The PSPO will also be enforced in parts of the Chapel End, Hale End & Highams Park and Valley wards.

The council agreed to consult the public on plans in March and almost 700 residents and business owners responded.

Of those, 94 per cent of respondents said they felt it was fair to fine litterers, while 90 per cent said fines for urinating were fair. Three quarters also wanted tickets for aggressive beggars.

The order has also received the backing of the borough’s police officers.

Waltham Forest Borough Commander Richard Tucker said: “Anti-social behaviour can have a serious impact on our communities.

“Waltham Forest, like many other urban boroughs, suffers from a range of problems like drinking in the streets and parks, aggressive beggars, and on-street harassment.

“Solving some of these issues will take time, but we are committed to working with the council to make life better for our communities, promote the regeneration of our town centres and to keep Waltham Forest safe.”