A COUNCIL has put up a sign threatening anyone feeding birds with five years in prison sparking fury among residents.
The menacing notice from Brent Council, London, also threatens an unlimited fine for “crimes against our streets”.
Translated into a number of South Asian languages and branded with the council logo, it can be found on Christchurch Avenue in Kilburn.
While it also states the reward for not feeding the birds is “cleaner streets”.
Brent Council currently has a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in place which bans the feeding of wild animals in parks, open spaces and cemeteries.
But five years behind bars is usually reserved for violent crimes such as causing grievous bodily harm, firearm offences and supplying drugs.
Michael Britton, a wildlife rescue volunteer, told the Local Democracy Service the sign was “outrageous” and “completely unacceptable and morally wrong”.
“I firmly believe that threatening five years in prison or an unlimited fine is both disgraceful, shockingly heavy handed and clearly illegal,” he said.
“I personally find the signs bullying, dictatorial, threatening, and racist; targeting and scapegoating specific cultures for ‘committing crimes against our streets’.”
Britton called for a review of the council’s PSPO strategy and said it “someone must be held accountable”.
“If we allow the council to diminish what little compassion remains in our society, we’re all doomed,” he added.
Nearly two weeks ago, a London student took to Reddit to say they had been slapped by a £100 fine by Brent Council for feeding bread to pigeons in Kilburn Park.
“London finally had some sun today. So I went out for a walk to the park. Just to enjoy the weather and clear my head. I had a slice of bread with me and I fed it to some pigeons along the way,” she said.
“Next thing I know, two enforcement officers are walking up to me and handing me a fine for £100.
“They pointed to a small signboard with only small icons marked in red, fixed 7ft up a distant pole- I’m 5ft tall with autism, I can barely make eye contact with the world… how was I supposed to make out that sign?”
She added that £100 was a “month’s groceries for me”.
Brent Council confirmed that the sign is now being removed.
While Cllr Krupa Sheth, Brent Council Cabinet Member for Public Realm and Enforcement, said: “We are sorry for any confusion caused by this old sign. While Brent takes a tough approach to environmental offences, the wording does not reflect how we would communicate with residents today.
“What has not changed is our determination to keep our neighbourhoods clean and safe.
“Our enforcement work is making a real difference: fly tipping incidents in Brent have fallen by more than half, down 53% from 34,830 to 16,338 between, while fly tipping fines have increased more than fivefold, the second highest number in England.
“That reflects a zero-tolerance approach to environmental crime, backed by more enforcement officers, stronger investigations and better use of technology.
“We will always be firm where behaviour harms our communities, but we also want our messaging to be clear, proportionate and fair.”
