"Councils have introduced a swathe of bizarre bans that will turn ordinary people into unwitting criminals, said Josie Appleton, the director of the group. These orders are not subject to democratic or legal scrutiny: they can be brought through by a single unelected council officer, and do not require public consultation or full council assent."
"The research, based on freedom of information requests submitted to 319 councils, found that 271 (91%) of the 297 councils who responded had at least one PSPO in place, including 13 councils placing restrictions on feeding birds—a measure that led to a woman being arrested in Harrow this year."
"75% of these penalties are issued by private enforcement companies who are paid per fine, and therefore have an incentive to issue as many penalties as possible, said Appleton. The fines are due to rise from 100 to 500 when the crime and policing bill finishes its passage through parliament."
Public spaces protection orders (PSPOs) are increasingly used by councils in England and Wales to criminalize everyday activities, with one in five councils banning swearing. A report reveals that councils have introduced over 1,000 new laws under PSPOs, which can be enacted without public consultation. The penalties for violations are rising, with 25,000 fines issued in 2025, primarily by private enforcement companies incentivized to issue more fines. The government has faced opposition in the House of Lords regarding profit-driven fines for PSPOs, but amendments to ban such practices were rejected.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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