A creeping tide of rust-colored stains is plaguing the streets of Wembley, a visual blight that speaks to a growing problem. Walking along the high street, the marks are unavoidable, splattered near bins and clinging to building facades.
These stains are the residue of paan – a mixture of betel nut, leaf, and other ingredients enjoyed as a dessert or stimulant. But with enjoyment comes a consequence: users spit out the resulting liquid, leaving behind a mess that’s proving incredibly difficult to manage.
For business owners, the daily cleanup is a frustrating ritual. Hours are spent scrubbing at the stubborn marks, a constant battle against a tide of discoloration that scars the urban landscape. It’s a problem that’s escalating, turning a cosmetic issue into a significant burden.
Street cleaner Emmanuel Flavius describes his job as a “nightmare.” The sheer volume of stains is overwhelming, and conventional cleaning methods are useless. He’s forced to rely on harsh acids, a testament to the substance’s tenacious grip on the pavement.
The issue extends beyond mere aesthetics. Residents and shopkeepers express growing concern over the unsanitary nature of the practice, citing it as both anti-social and a potential health hazard. The act of spitting in public, coupled with the difficulty of removal, creates a breeding ground for unease.
Brent Council is now pushing for an outright ban on paan products, acknowledging that local enforcement efforts have reached their limit. The scale of the problem, they argue, demands a broader legislative solution.
A walk along Wembley High Road quickly reveals the extent of the damage. Within minutes, the stains become ubiquitous, a relentless pattern covering lamp posts, electric boxes, and walls. The sheer number – easily exceeding 50 within half an hour – is startling.
Mary Manuel, a 20-year resident of Wembley, has taken to confronting those she sees spitting, pretending to be a council official to discourage the behavior. But the problem persists, a constant source of frustration.
Sujeeva and her husband, who run a local supermarket, face daily cleanup duties and have been met with aggression when attempting to address the issue directly. Their property is repeatedly damaged, and their complaints seem to fall on deaf ears.
Paan holds cultural significance for some, particularly within the South East Asian community, often used in religious ceremonies and as a mouth freshener. However, its addictive nature and the potential for misuse are undeniable.
While some argue a ban would unfairly penalize responsible users, Brent Council points to alarming public health statistics. The borough experiences a significantly higher rate of head and neck cancer – over 90 cases per 100,000 people – compared to the national average of 16.
The proposed ban wouldn’t target paan leaf itself, but rather products containing tobacco or betel nut. Council officials emphasize this isn’t about targeting communities, but about addressing harmful individual actions.
Cllr Krupa Sheth argues that the current situation is unsustainable. “Our streets are spat on, public health is at risk, and criminal supply chains thrive,” she states. “A product that causes such serious harm simply should not be legally sold on our high streets.”
The council acknowledges the limitations of local action, emphasizing the need for a change in national legislation to effectively address the problem and protect both the environment and public health.
