Two Indian origin men have been fined over 1,000 euros each in the London borough of Brent as part of an ongoing campaign to address the issue of paan spitting in public places. The action comes amid regular enforcement efforts by local authorities to curb the practice, Times of India reported.
In one case, Akshitkumar Bhadre Patel (31), a resident of Edgware, was fined 1,391 euros by the North West London Magistrates' Court earlier this month. The court proceedings took place in his absence after he failed to attend the hearing. The case related to an incident on June 11, 2025, where he was found guilty of spitting paan on a road in Kingsbury.
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Officials cited by TOI noted that “the initial fine was 100 euros, but after it remained unpaid and the matter was taken to court, it rose to 1,391 euros.”
In a separate but similar case, Hitesh Patel (32), who lives in Ruislip, was also fined 1,391 euros by the same court. His case involved an incident on June 12, 2025, where he was found guilty of spitting paan on a road in Wembley Hill. Like the earlier case, he did not appear for the hearing.
Authorities have highlighted the financial burden caused by such incidents.
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According to the council, “more than 30,000 euros is spent every year on cleaning paan spit,” adding that even the use of industrial cleaning equipment has not been fully effective in removing the stains.
The council has also put in place regular monitoring to prevent such violations.
“Enforcement officers carry out daily patrols and are authorised to issue a 100 euro fine to anyone caught spitting paan,” officials were quoted as saying by TOI. "If the fine is not paid, the council can take the matter forward for prosecution," they added.
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