NINE people who urinated in York's streets have become the first to be prosecuted and fined under a council and police crackdown.

City of York Council used a local by-law to take legal action against members of the public who decided to spend a penny on various city-centre streets - and has today named and shamed them.

The authority says it expects further prosecutions, with the nine who were caught through the first wave of 'Operation Clean' - carried out by the council and North Yorkshire Police - being fined a total of £600 after appearing at Selby Magistrates Court. 

They are:

* Thomas Swales, of Blatchford Court, Clifton, York - fined £50 for urinating at Varvills Court.

* Samuel Wellen, of Russell Street, York - fined £50 for urinating in Peter Street.

* Robert McGowan, of Cornlands Road, York - fined £75 for urinating in Coney Street.

* Mervyn Smith, of Telford - fined £75 for urinating in Shambles.

* David Benson, of Goole - fined £75 for urinating in Coney Street.

* Christopher Doyle, of Doncaster - fined £75 for urinating in Bridge Street.

* Jon Webb, of Stockton-on-Tees - fined £100 for urinating in Coney Street.

* James Reeney, of Byram, Knottingley - fined £50 for urinating on Ouse Bridge.

* Robert Peacock, of Goole - fined £50 for urinating at Varvills Court.

All nine were each also ordered to pay £100 court costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

"We will not tolerate this anti-social and unhygienic behaviour committed in our city by a small minority," said Coun Dafydd Williams, the council's cabinet member for crime and stronger communities.

"Our innovative use of a by-law and our partnership with North Yorkshire Police will target this crime and prosecute those caught offending in this way."

Sergeant Fiona Willey, of the York Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "This is a positive result which I hope will show a decrease in this type of behaviour in the city centre.

"The majority of those prosecuted had just left a venue or were on their way to one where toilets were available. I hope this sends a clear message that people relieving themselves in a street or doorway is not acceptable and affects the quality of life for businesses and members of the public.

"We will continue to work with the council to ensure offenders are dealt with robustly."

The council said free unisex toilets in the city centre are available at all times, at Union Terrace and Nunnery Lane car parks, Exhibition Square and Tanner Row, while the Silver Street toilets are open until 8pm every day and sometimes later during city-centre events.