A mum-of-five has hit out at the appalling state of rubbish on the streets, saying it encourages crime as well as foxes and vermin.

Magdalena Donovan, who lives in Belsize Park, says rubbish is being left out - mostly by cafes and restaurants - at all times of day across Camden and not being collected.

She complained to Camden Council about areas including Belsize Park, West Hampstead, Finchley Road and Haverstock Hill but said she was ignored.

She set up Clean London's Dump on X under the handle @londonsdump for people to send her their pictures.

"At any time of day you walk down the street in this borough and it's absolutely packed with rubbish, every corner, it's awful," she said.

"I've contacted the council but nothing is done. There's a problem with the system."

She said restaurants can take their rubbish out at any time of day and if left out overnight it is torn apart by foxes, rats and birds.

She said restaurants should have a specific window to take out rubbish, similar to households, and it should be collected within an hour.

"It's not only a disgusting sight for us and a very unhygienic one, but it's also very inefficient," she added.

"I don't know how many contracts the council has but they should fine the restaurants, not make the taxpayer pay."

"You might not be able to control wildlife but you can control the rubbish collection system."

Having lived in Belsize Park for 25 years she said she's "never seen it this bad".

Uncollected rubbish in West HampsteadUncollected rubbish in West Hampstead (Image: @londonsdump)

She added: "Living in a decent, clean city should be basic. Our streets are a reflection of our society, it looks like we don't care and because of that it encourages crime."

Cllr Adam Harrison, Camden's cabinet member for planning and a sustainable Camden, said £1m is being invested towards street cleaning and collections, including a new evening and night-time service, extra street sweeping, and stronger controls to ensure businesses put their waste out at appropriate times.

He said businesses are responsible for their own rubbish.

He added: “Businesses have the choice over which rubbish and recycling collection company to use, and there are occasions where one private company might fail to complete a collection and thus brings an area down.

"The multiplicity of providers can also hinder solutions such as a single bin for all businesses on a street because companies only collect from those companies that pay them for the service.

"There is certainly more that can be done to address this, including by restaurants, and the council is happy to work with them to look after our neighbourhoods."