Where feeding ducks can get you fined

[super jumbe]

Think you?re a good law abiding citizen? You may be breaking the law and liable for an on-the-spot fine without even realising it.




Matthew Baker/PA Wire - Could feeding the ducks land you a fine?

Depending on how tough your local authority is, you can get slapped with a fine for anything from accidentally dropping a tenner to putting up a lost cat poster or feeding the ducks.

The number of spot fines being dished out by local authorities has shot up over the past ten years, from 13,926 to 226,640 a year, according to civil liberty group the Manifesto Club.

Since the Government boosted local authority powers in tackling environmental crime, under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, some councils have even employed private companies to patrol the streets and dish them out.

These Fixed Penalty Notices or ?spot fines? can be given for ?minor? offences and while Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) publish guidelines for these fines, the final say is ultimately down to local authorities.

Some councils? interpretation of their new powers has seen homeowners faced with fines of ?1,000 for putting their bins out a day early, ?250 for throwing an apple core in a hedge and even a fine for dropping a crisp.

So what can you be fined for?

Dropping your cash
Most of us don?t make a habit of throwing our money around, but if you accidently drop some cash in the street, this seemingly innocent accident could cost you around ?50-?80.

Research from the Manifesto Club claims fines have been handed out for ?offences? including dropping a ?10 note in the street.

http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/given-spot-fine-101836517.html

[mdt]

id like to see them give me a fine for dropping cash on the floor!!! they would get a glasgow kiss. the world is going mad! regards mdt

[super jumbe]

In school we were told to feed the birds in winter they should update that language from school.

Dropping cash from pocket if they call that intentionally to get fined then we should not be allowed to carry cash any more, so what?s the alternative to cash??

[ajax2061]

'some councils have even employed private companies'

When asked for info by private firms my respone would simply by I am not obliged to give you that information, they are not a police officer and have no bloody power to enforce anything. Stand your ground and ignore the job worths

[Meat-Head]

'some councils have even employed private companies'

When asked for info by private firms my respone would simply by I am not obliged to give you that information, they are not a police officer and have no bloody power to enforce anything. Stand your ground and ignore the job worths

Or "I have paid my council tax, you can pay your own wages now f orf"

[jcgrumbles]

if ive ever accidentaly dropped any money the bastard has hit me on the back of the head when ive went down to pick it up...

[GastonJ]

It's more often than not because they get paid on the "clean up rate" - in other words how many people they fine etc. In reality such companies should get paid based on how clean the streets are compared to how many 'fines' they hand out. At the end of the day if the town/city is clean and they haven't had to give any fines out then it means they're are actually achieving something. However if they're handing fines out let right and centre and the town looks like a dumping ground then they are achieving nothing at all, other than making money for the council. It's the usual ar$e about face way of paying for a so called service that councils do.

On the other hand, if like London, there are no bins they wtf do they expect.

[Snowy79]

Just wait until the bedroom tax kicks in and people refuse to pay it. The council will start fining you for everything from overfilling your bins, not recycling, drivng in bus lanes etc. They'll always find ways of getting money out of you to cover their costs. That said if you litter you deserve the fine.

[gmb45]

That said if you litter you deserve the fine.

correct, i spend as much time as a can in the peak district you wouldnt believe the crap left behind by so called walkers

[super jumbe]

If you read the heading on topic it says feeding duck you will be fined..

Are we not suppose to feed birds or ducks in the park and around our property, etc??

Is this illegal in the court of law?

[maca]

correct, i spend as much time as a can in the peak district you wouldnt believe the crap left behind by so called walkers

Yeah crisp packets ban em i say

[super jumbe]

The 'littering' laws are ridiculously out of hand nowadays.

I heard if you are laughing, that will be ?75 pounds.
I heard if you drop your ????, that will be ?75 pounds.

You'd get the same fine for fly-tipping! It also really doesn't attract rats.

Would thoes warden handout fines when they approach group of drunken football holigans throwing litters on train and on the streets.....

[GastonJ]

The 'littering' laws are ridiculously out of hand nowadays.

I heard if you are laughing, that will be ?75 pounds.
I heard if you drop your ????, that will be ?75 pounds.

You'd get the same fine for fly-tipping! It also really doesn't attract rats.

Would thoes warden handout fines when they approach group of drunken football holigans throwing litters on train and on the streets.....

Read it all, and think you're quackers m8

[super jumbe]

Originally Posted by Gaston
Read it all, and think you're quackers m8



This is the attitude we have, I am not 10 years old that?s why I asked questions, majorities of society in uk will not stand against the govt, they say bend over we bend over??
We are already disconnected from society, I am worried about the next generation if we do nothig!!!!

[GastonJ]

They don't even need wardens tbh, they could just follow you back to your car on CCTV, ask DVLA for your details and then send you the fine, or if you were walking follow you home on CCTV and send you the fine instead. Much cheaper option now that everyone has accepted CCTV into their every day lives.

Too late to fear for the next generation, they've already been sold out.

Society is what you make it, and sadly, the government has made it a divided one. The "what's in it for me?" lot win again.