- By Chetna Shree
- Thu, 19 Mar 2026 06:54 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Two men of Indian origin have each been fined 1,391 pounds (approximately Rs 1.72 lakh) by the Brent Council in London for spitting paan in public areas of north-west London, according to UK-based outlet Harrow Online.
Two Indian-Origin Men Fined For Spitting Paan In London
The two men, Akshitkumar Bhadre Patel (31) and Hitesh Patel (32), were initially slapped with 100-pound on-the-spot fines for separate incidents in June 2025. However, when both failed to pay the penalties and did not appear in court, the cases were escalated, leading to significantly higher fines.
According to Harrow Online, Akshitkumar Patel spat paan on Kingsbury Road, near Kingsbury station, on June 11, while Hitesh Patel committed a similar offence a day later near North Wembley station. Both were later convicted in absentia.
Brent Council has been stepping up enforcement against paan spitting, which they say leaves persistent stains on public spaces and street furniture. Councillor Krupa Sheth, Cabinet Member for Public Realm and Enforcement, emphasised that the council is maintaining a 'zero-tolerance approach' to such violations.
"We’re continuing our zero-tolerance approach to those who ruin our streets, which includes spitters of paan who stain street furniture. Every fine we dish out is a clear statement to offenders: if you mess up our streets, we will find you, and you will pay. That is why I am delighted that we have doubled the amount of fines that we have handed out in the last year. Don’t mess with Brent because we have had enough," Sheth said.
Brent Council's Pan-Spitting Crackdown
The crackdown comes amid growing concerns over paan spitting in parts of north-west London. According to a report by North London News, Brent Council spends over 30,000 pounds to remove paan stains from pavements, buildings, and public infrastructure. Officials said that the paan stains are stubborn, requiring high-powered cleaning methods to remove.
To tackle the issue, enforcement teams conduct regular patrols, issue fixed penalty notices, and pursue legal action in case of non-payment, along with awareness campaigns in areas such as Wembley.
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"Paan chewing and spitting causes serious health issues. The stains cost the council over £30,000 to clean up each year. Enforcement officers are taking a zero-tolerance approach to those caught ruining Brent's streets with paan, those caught will be fined £100. The council runs one-to-one support where residents can get support on quitting paan and smoking," Brent Council said.