I took my son, 6, to feed birds in the park and was slapped with a £150 fine – it’s disgusting and my boy is devastated
A DISGUSTED mum was slapped with a £150 fine after taking her six-year-old son to the park to feed birds.
Jemma Summers, 37, took son Lewson to a local beauty spot for a cheap day out with a loaf of bread to feed pigeons and ducks.
It is a trip the pair have made together previously without any issues.
But she has been left furious after being handed an on-the-spot fine by a council enforcement officer at River Gardens in Derby on Friday.
Derby City Council’s website discourages the feeding of birds at the site, classing it as a form of littering which “encourages rodents”.
Jemma has slammed the £150 fine as “disgusting” and suggested a warning would have been appropriate in her case.
The River Gardens area contains signs warning visitors against feeding birds at the site, but the mum claimed they are not visible enough.
She told DerbyshireLive: “There are not enough signs. There were none placed at the entrance I came in.
“The signs need to be eye level, bigger and distributed evenly if people are to be aware of the rules regarding people feeding birds.
“I also feel the price of the fine is ridiculous. Individuals get less for parking fines and driving on bus lanes which you would think most drivers would be aware of.”
Jemma said her son has been left “absolutely devastated” by the prospect of no longer being able to feed birds.
She also described the council officer’s decision to fine her as “absolutely horrendous”.
The council increased littering fines from £75 to £150 in January earlier this year.
A spokesman for Derby City Council said: “While we are unable to comment on individual cases, we would encourage anyone who feels they have been unfairly issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice to follow the appeals process and make contact with the Community Safety team.
“It is an offence to drop litter anywhere in the city, which includes leftover food from feeding birds. While those who feed the birds may have good intentions, it can create unforeseen issues.
“Excess food can lead to an increase in pigeons, leading to more droppings and mess. It can also attract rodents and end up in our drains and waterways.
The rules on feeding birds and ducks
FEEDING birds is a common activity at beauty spots and ponds across Britain.
But local councils have varying rules over whether it is actually legal or leaves you liable to a fixed penalty notice.
In recent years, some councils have introduced Public Space Protection Orders that include regulations preventing the feeding of birds.
This is owing to concerns over property damage, nuisance and health and safety.
Likewise, scattering bread or other food can be classed as littering if it leads to waste being left on the floor or causes general environmental issues.
However, some wildlife organisations actively encourage bird feeding, so long as appropriate food is used.
As a general rule, it is important to check your council website for any specific rules and regulations to avoid a potential fine.
“We’re working hard to make the city as clean as possible. Our partnership with Kingdom Local Authority Support to take more enforcement action is key to this.
“We are proud of Derby and want to make it a cleaner, greener city, so we need all our citizens to have the same pride in their communities.”
The council’s website adds: “Leaving food that birds do not immediately eat is classed as littering.
“It encourages rodents and is unsightly. It is causing an overpopulation of pigeons. It is creating a lot of bird mess.
“Please do not feed the pigeons but a handful of suitable wildfowl food should be enough for the ducks and swans.”