The snoop wardens

Parking attendants could soon be able to hand out on-the-spot fines if they catch people dropping litter.

The attendants will be renamed "civil enforcement officers" and allowed to issue penalty notices for flyposting and graffiti.

They would also become council "spies", reporting on unruly behaviour and providing evidence which could lead to prosecutions and Asbos. They will also be able to issue fixed-penalty notices for driving in bus lanes or jumping red lights.

Westminster City Council is now considering using the full powers provided by a government shake-up of the parking system.

At the moment, attendants are only allowed to issue parking fines, report abandoned vehicles and inaccurate signs or markings, and check car parks are clean and tidy.

The new rules will be announced by the Department of Transport next month and are expected to come into force on 1March next year under the Traffic Management Act 2004.

They are designed to free up more police time by switching powers to councils.