A leading councilllor has defended a spitting ban in Enfield despite figures showing no-one has been fined in the first month of the scheme.

A borough-wide by-law was introduced on December 9, giving council staff powers to fine people up to £500 if they are caught spitting anti-socially in public places.

But nearly four weeks since the ban came into force, Enfield Council says just two investigations are underway and no-one has been fined.

Councillor Chris Bond, cabinet member for environment and a leading campaigner for the by-law, claimed the success of the scheme would not be measured on the number of fines handed out.

He said: “I’m pleased no-one has been fined – I’m hoping we are putting people off. I think the success of the by-law will be measured by how few people we fine. It is about intervention and getting the message across that it is not acceptable.

“We have been in schools and on local radio spreading awareness and I’m pleased with the coverage we have had. We don’t want to prosecute – we want to stop it.”

The Labour councillor said he and council staff would be monitoring the scheme but claimed it was too early to determine its success.

He said: “It is early days and it is probably the wrong time of year to judge it, but when things get back to normal after the holidays we will be assessing it.

“We have spent a fair amount of money on posters in libraries and schools and we’re likely to spend more over the coming months and in the new financial year.

“We will look at it again around March and April and see if it has been worth it.”