People caught feeding pigeons could face £100 fine

People could be fined £100 if they are caught feeding pigeons in some Hertfordshire town centres, under council proposals.

Broxbourne Borough Council's cabinet agreed to consult on introducing a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which would make it an offence to feed the birds within central Cheshunt, Waltham Cross and Hoddesdon.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said a four-week consultation would be carried out, which could see the order come into force from 1 April.

The council had been using a hawk in Waltham Cross town centre to stop pigeons nesting, but officers said its effectiveness had been harmed by the continuing feeding.

The authority said it was not looking to issue many fines and expected the threat would be enough to deter people.

Paul Seeby, Conservative cabinet member for the environment, said: "We started the year by saying we'd work for a cleaner borough. This is a mechanism that will help us achieve that objective."

He added that the council's mobile locality officers, who would enforce the ban alongside environmental enforcement officers, were "unsung heroes".

A report prepared for councillors said: "Pigeons are known to carry numerous diseases, including Salmonella and E.coli.

"The droppings cause damage to buildings and street furniture and generally make a place look tired and worn."