A woman in Harrow, London, was detained, fined £100, and issued a Public Spaces Protection Order for feeding pigeons, as shown in a video where she was surrounded by officers
Woman Arrested and Fined for Feeding Pigeons in Harrow
A woman was arrested and fined £100 for feeding bread to pigeons. The incident occurred in Harrow, London, on Wednesday. Video footage shows her being detained by police officers and council enforcement workers.
The woman appeared distressed during her detention. Officers placed her in handcuffs and into a police van. After her release, she received a paper fine stating she must pay £100.
She was also given a notice indicating she breached a Public Spaces Protection Order. The video, filmed by a passerby on Wealdstone High Street, shows her surrounded by at least six police officers and two council enforcement workers.
Police searched her pockets while the man filming urged them to stop. Her belongings were confiscated and placed in plastic bags before she was taken to a police van. She was later released with a note describing her offense as “throwing bread on the floor,” according to MailOnline.
The report stated that the woman had received a warning but did not comply, prompting police involvement. She was issued a fixed penalty notice of £100, which she must pay within 28 days to avoid prosecution.
The notice warned, “If you fail to make payment within 28 days you may be summons [sic] to appear in the Magistrate court.” The footage shows multiple bystanders questioning the arrest for feeding birds.
Public Spaces Protection Orders in Harrow
Harrow Council has several Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) that ban certain behaviors, including drinking and drug use. The woman was stopped under the Town and District Centres PSPO, which prohibits “feeding of birds and vermin.”
Other banned acts under the PSPO include aggressive begging, blocking access to businesses during working hours, and leaving waste in public spaces. Breaching these orders can result in a fixed notice of prosecution, with fines up to £1,000.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Harrow, London |
| Date | Wednesday, 7 January |
| Fine Amount | £100 |
| Time of Incident | Around 14:30hrs |
| Age of Woman | In her 40s |
| PSPO Breach | Feeding birds and vermin |
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson stated that officers were approached by local council enforcement officers regarding an anti-social behavior incident. The woman was asked to provide her name and address for the fixed penalty notice but refused multiple times.
She was arrested on suspicion of breaching Section 50 of the Police Reform Act, which requires individuals to provide their name and address when requested by police. Her details were later obtained, and she was de-arrested and dealt with by council officers.
The woman was visibly upset during her arrest. An officer returned her belongings, which had been placed in plastic bags. An enforcement officer then issued her the fine before she was allowed to leave.
