Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:10pm on 28 Nov 2025,Friday International
North London's Brent Council faces a costly public health crisis as paan and gutka spitting stains streets, particularly around Wembley's South Asian community areas. The council spends over £30,000 (Rs 35 lakhs) annually cleaning dark-red tobacco residue from pavements, telephone boxes, and buildings, with even high-powered jets unable to remove stubborn stains. Authorities adopted a "zero-tolerance approach," deploying enforcement officers and warning banners across three hotspot areas. Offenders face fines up to £100 (Rs 12,000). Cabinet Member Krupa Sheth warned perpetrators: "Don't mess with Brent, because we will catch you and fine you." The distinctly South Asian habit, normalized across the subcontinent, now causes serious health, environmental, and financial damage in UK streets.(PC: NDTV)
