Londoners face up to five years in prison or an unlimited fine if they are caught feeding birds, according to incorrect council signs put up in one borough.
The threatening notices from Brent Council, which were written in English and five South Asian languages, describe feeding birds as a ‘crime against our streets’.
The signs spotted on Christchurch Avenue in Kilburn state the ‘penalty’ if caught is ‘up to five years in prison or unlimited fine’, and the ‘reward’ is ‘cleaner streets’.
But one wildlife rescue volunteer branded the signs ‘shockingly heavy handed and clearly illegal’, saying they were ‘completely unacceptable and morally wrong’.
Criminals would normally get a five-year jail term for violent offences such as grievous bodily harm, as well as firearms and high-level drug supply charges.
The council has now apologised for the wording on the signs, which are two years old, saying they did ‘not reflect how we would communicate with residents today’.
Michael Britton, a volunteer with Pigeon Recovery and London Wildlife Protection, said he was ‘absolutely shocked and dismayed’ by the ‘outrageous’ signs.
He suggested the council could face legal action, telling the Local Democracy Reporting Service: ‘I firmly believe that threatening five years in prison or an unlimited fine is both disgraceful, shockingly heavy handed and clearly illegal.
The Brent Council notices were written in English and five South Asian languages
‘I personally find the signs bullying, dictatorial, threatening and racist – targeting and scapegoating specific cultures for “committing crimes against our streets”.
‘I believe this sign is a malicious prosecution threat which is illegal and makes Brent Council liable to be sued.’
The council has brought in a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which bans the feeding of wild animals including birds in parks, open spaces and cemeteries.
This is meant to reduce antisocial behaviour and hygiene issues relating to faeces, but the council’s documents state that failing to comply can only result in a fine up to £1,000, although failure to pay that may result in a further conviction.
Labour councillor Krupa Sheth, Brent Council’s 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 per cent from 34,830 to 16,338 between, while fly tipping fines have increased more than fivefold, the second highest number in England.
The council signs were on Christchurch Avenue in Kilburn, North West London (file picture)
‘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.’
It comes after a student revealed she received a £100 fine from council officers for feeding pigeons while walking in a park in Kilburn on February 28.
She wrote on Reddit: ‘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.
‘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? Also isn’t this a steep fine for a first time “offence”? £100 is a month’s groceries for me.’
The woman added that the officer suggested she called the council the following day, a Monday, to explain her situation – which she said she would.
