Newham is making clean streets a top priority and has launched a new offensive against littering and illegal fly-tipping in response to complaints from residents.

“We will bring back the broom,” councillor James Asser (Beckton) told the council meeting on 18 October, announcing fresh actions in the coming weeks ranging from improved street sweeping to upgrading the recycling of waste and targeting people responsible for littering.

All cleaning services are now directly under council control, he said, and he promised a “deep-cleaning strategy” with more action to fine fly-tippers, organise more resident clean-up days and more support for caretakers in high-density residential areas.

The council is also stepping up its support for recycling waste, making it easier for residents to use their orange-topped bins. From mid-November previously banned items like glass, aerosols, plastic tubs and trays and tin foil can be put into recycling bins.

The council will introduce weekly recycling collections and is hiring new lorry drivers in the teeth of a national shortage of HGV license holders.

“Residents want more action,” he said,

“We are saying to residents, we have heard you and we are responding. Over the next few months we will be reshaping our service to make it more effective.”

In particular, action will focus on litter hot-spots including Beckton, Custom House and Canning Town.

The latest anti-litter crack down comes just a year after the last effort to crack down on illegal rubbish dumping when council leaders promised a “zero tolerance” approach to fly-tipping.

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