"A modified motorbike has been brought in to vacuum up the mess and sterilise the London pavement. It was imported from France and is similar to the “motocrottes” which were used to tackle the problem in Paris. Islington council is believed to be the first local authority to use the adapted Honda 125cc.

A water vacuum system is used on the mess, which is then sucked up by a hose and deposited in a 25-litre box on the back of the bike. A pump then cleans the pavement with a flower-scented sterilising wash.

Islington's street wardens are using the bike, which cost about £12,000, across the borough. It will work alongside the council's road sweeping service. In the past year its wardens have issued about 50 £80 fixed penalty notices for fouling.

The bikes were introduced in Paris in the Eighties but dropped in 2004 for being “inefficient”.

Via: This is London