Mop cops extend clean-up to city

Torquay Police said mops had reduced the number of offences

A scheme to make drunken louts clean up their own urine from the streets of Devon with a mop and bucket is being extended by police in the county.

Officers in Plymouth city centre will give offenders what Ch Supt Jim Webster called a "mop up or pay up" option.

The clean-up started in Torquay last month and it will operate in Plymouth from the weekend.

Those who refuse to clean up after themselves will be given a £40 fixed penalty notice or face arrest.

'Dramatic reduction'

Ch Supt Webster, the police commander for Plymouth, said: "People will be given the option to mop up or pay up.

"If they will not clean up their mess, they will be liable to the existing £40 fixed penalty notice."

The scheme has the approval of the city council.

Police in Torquay said the initiative had resulted in a "dramatic reduction" in cases of people urinating in the street.