Woman feeding pigeons arrested and handcuffed by police as onlookers slam ‘ridiculous’ response
A woman feeding pigeons on the street was arrested and handcuffed in a “ridiculous” incident caught on camera.
Video posted on social media shows the woman, in her 40s, being detained by a group of at least six police officers and council enforcement workers in Harrow, London, on Wednesday.
Footage taken by a passerby shows the woman looking visibly distressed as she was handcuffed on the High Street in Wealdstone at around 2.30pm before her pockets were searched. He is then carried out by two police officers and put into the back of a police van.
The man filming is heard repeatedly voicing his anger at the scene, and other passersby can be heard similarly questioning the incident, with one of them saying “this is ridiculous.”
The local council said the woman had “breached the Public Places Protection Order (PSPO) regarding bird feeding” and fined her £100. Anyone who breaches the PSPO must report a £100 fixed penalty or they may face prosecution.
Police said the woman was arrested because she “repeatedly refused to provide personal information” when asked by officers, which is an offence.
Once his details were received police said he was arrested and the matter was passed on to council officers.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “At around 2.30pm on Wednesday, January 7, officers were approached by local council enforcement officers dealing with an incident of anti-social behavior in Wealdstone High Street, Harrow.
“A woman in her 40s was repeatedly asked for her name and address so she could be issued with a fixed penalty notice. After speaking to officers for around 20 minutes, she repeatedly refused to give personal details.
“He was arrested on suspicion of breaching Section 50 of the Police Reform Act, which requires people to give their name and address when asked by police.
“His details were subsequently obtained and he was arrested and dealt with by council officers.”
A spokesman for Harrow Council said: “The Public Places Protection Order (PSPO) regarding bird feeding has been breached.
“The individual refused to provide his details, which is an offense, and also refused to stop feeding the pigeons when asked.
“Our PSPO exists to help keep our streets clean and safe for everyone and anyone found breaking these rules will face a £100 fixed penalty notice.”
