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Councils use ‘intrusive’ new law to fine people for feeding birds, rough sleeping and crying | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Campaigners have slated councils across the UK for fining people for feeding the birds, crying, having dirty windows and various other supposed acts of anti-social behaviour. | Campaigners have slated councils across the UK for fining people for feeding the birds, crying, having dirty windows and various other supposed acts of anti-social behaviour. |
A report released by the Manifesto Club, a group of anti-regulation campaigners, revealed how local authorities were using the controversial Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. | |
The law has been used to settle neighbourhood disputes and also stop busking, rough sleeping and deal with “roaming peacocks”. | The law has been used to settle neighbourhood disputes and also stop busking, rough sleeping and deal with “roaming peacocks”. |
The report’s author Josie Appleton wrote: “Such orders undermine the privacy and sanctity of the home. | |
“If you cannot cry within your own house, or feed the birds in your garden, then the home has no significant meaning as a private space which is protected from the demands of the outer world. | |
“These orders also criminalise some activities commonly viewed as normal or even positive: feeding wild birds in your garden is encouraged by the RSPB.” | “These orders also criminalise some activities commonly viewed as normal or even positive: feeding wild birds in your garden is encouraged by the RSPB.” |
Community protection notices (CPNs) were introduced to prohibit activity that has a detrimental effect on people’s quality of life. | |
Council officers can hand out a £100 on-the-spot fine and a failure to comply can lead to a £2,500 court fine. | Council officers can hand out a £100 on-the-spot fine and a failure to comply can lead to a £2,500 court fine. |
According to details obtained by the Manifesto Club under the Freedom of Information Act, 107 councils imposed 3,943 CPNs between October 2014 and October 2015. | |
Newham council issued 1,486 CPNs and 8,795 CPN warnings, while Wakefield issued 802. | Newham council issued 1,486 CPNs and 8,795 CPN warnings, while Wakefield issued 802. |
Leeds city council said it used the orders extensively but that it did not know the numbers. | Leeds city council said it used the orders extensively but that it did not know the numbers. |
Four councils (East Devon, North Devon, Conwy and Exeter) dished out a number of notices for feeding birds in gardens, three councils (Bath, South Gloucestershire and Ashford) had done so for busking, and 18 for messy gardens. | |
Five councils (Waltham Forest, Nottingham, Gosport, Lambeth and Bristol) issued CPNs over Japanese knotweed. Some councils also issued notices for “arguing/shouting/crying” in the home, and for “neighbourhood disputes”. | |
Between 1 April 2015 to 31 December 2015, 254 led to prosecutions for failing to comply with the notice, and 200 were successful. | |
Manifesto Club director Ms Appleton added: “There is a grave need to subject CPNs to a greater degree of oversight and control, to limit such broad and intrusive application.” |
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