Posters advertising everything from bed space to body-boosting herbal medicines are still being plastered across the capital’s surfaces, despite the threat of a Dh1,000 fine or even court action.

The ads can be seen on lampposts, phone booths, bus shelters and even building facades on most streets in Abu Dhabi.

A law from 2012 states that offenders who fix unlicensed advertisements face a fine of Dh1,000, and if it is not paid within 30 days, Abu Dhabi Municipality will refer the case to the courts. Yet that has not put people off putting up posters.

In February, the municipality launched a campaign in Baniyas and Al Wathba and fined 13 offenders, but it has not deterred makeshift advertisers in the city centre.

Several residents said the municipality should call the numbers on the ads, get their details and then fine them.

“That is the only solution to stop such practices,” said Syrian Naji Al Arefi.

“Nowadays, everybody has smartphones so they can post on any social site to get tenants and customers, but to randomly post notices is not good for the city’s general appearance.

“Authorities keep cleaning them but, again, they put them up.”

The National called several of the numbers on the posters but most claimed they did not place the ads while also vowing not to do so again.

Abu Dhabi Municipality said on Thursday that people who placed the ads were asked to remove them and that about 30 fines had been issued.

It also said it intended to run an awareness campaign about the matter.