SIX cops dragged a woman in her 40s away for feeding pigeons on a Harrow high street – after she refused to give her name. She now faces a £100 fine for “throwing bread on the floor” under a tough Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).
Pigeon Feeding Drama Erupts in Wealdstone
The chaos kicked off around 2:30pm on Wednesday, January 7, when council enforcement officers labelled the woman’s bird feeding as “anti-social behaviour.” She ignored repeated warnings and refused to stop or hand over her personal details, breaching Section 50 of the Police Reform Act.
After a 20-minute standoff, six police officers swooped in, searched her, and hauled her into a police van. Bystanders were left gobsmacked, filming the dramatic arrest unfold.
£100 Fine for Bread? Locals Outraged
The woman was slapped with a £100 fixed penalty for simply “throwing bread on the floor” – an offence under Harrow’s strict PSPO, which bans bird feeding and other nuisance behaviours.
Harrow Council confirmed the Order also targets alcohol consumption, drug use, aggressive begging, blocking shop entrances, and dumping rubbish – with fines up to a whopping £1,000.
“There was a breach of the Public Spaces Protection Order relating to bird feeding. The individual refused to provide their details and also refused to stop feeding pigeons when asked,” said a council spokesperson.
Police Overkill? Six Officers for Some Crumbs
Many are asking: Was this arrest serious overkill? Six cops, full searches, and a police van for dropping breadcrumbs? By-standers and social media questioned the force’s heavy-handed approach.
The incident throws a spotlight on concerns about PSPOs turning minor acts – like feeding pigeons – into criminal offences alongside serious crimes like drug taking and aggressive begging. The threat of big fines or even court summonses feels like an overblown crackdown on everyday behaviour.
“If you fail to make payment within 28 days, you may be summoned to appear in the Magistrates’ court,” warns the council’s enforcement note.
This woman’s stand may be part of a wider pushback against local authorities cracking down on what some say are petty, intrusive rules policing normal life.
