Harrow’s Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) have been revamped by the council based on feedback from the community.
The updated plan, approved by Harrow’s Cabinet this week, aims to combat low-level crime and antisocial behaviour in parks, town centres, and housing estates.
Notably, Pinner Memorial Park will introduce a dedicated bird feeding area, with other parks under review for potential bird feeding restrictions. Additionally, measures to control the number of dogs walked simultaneously across the borough will be implemented.
The PSPOs were revised following a consultation that received over 500 responses, including input from 20 community groups.
An education program will precede the Orders’ enforcement in 2024, focusing on issues like littering, fly-tipping, and takeaway waste.
Cllr Anjana Patel, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Infrastructure and Community Safety said: “Residents and businesses are fed up with anti-social behaviour. Not only does it cause a nuisance, but it ruins people’s enjoyment and peace as they go about their daily lives in our parks, town centres and public spaces.
“We want to make our protection orders better so that they tackle issues that matter to them and deters those from engaging in nuisance behaviour.
“I’d like to thank everyone who fed back on our consultation which will help us restore pride in our borough and keep our borough clean and safe.”
Around 60% of respondents supported a bird feeding ban in parks, and this ban will be included in the new PSPO.
However, before this ban is enforced in any park, except Pinner Memorial Park, a review will determine the designated bird feeding areas in each park.
This flexibility also allows the Parks team to temporarily restrict feeding in case of rodent infestation until the issue is resolved.
Pinner Memorial Park will serve as a trial for this approach, with a designated area by the pond for duck feeding, set to be introduced early next year and clearly marked for families to enjoy.
On housing estates, bird and wildlife feeding will generally be allowed unless signage indicates otherwise. This change aims to accommodate residents without gardens and ensures that pet owners are not affected by this restriction.
Leaflet distribution rules will be simplified, with religious and political groups only requiring permission if they set up stands or tables in town or district centres.
The limit for the number of dogs that can be walked at once is now four, whether on or off a lead. Professional dog walkers can apply for a certificate from the licensing team for exceptions.
Existing offences from the current PSPO will continue to be enforced, and for all new measures, there will be an education period of at least a month before enforcement begins.
For more details on these PSPO changes, you can visit https://www.harrow.gov.uk/environment-parks/public-spaces-protection-order.
