Andrew Herring loves walking his Labrador retriever, George, in Bentley Priory Nature Reserve – it’s something he looks forward to every day.
But that daily routine has become uncomfortable and less enjoyable for him following the enforcement of strict new rules on dogs off leads in some areas, by way of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).
With signs vandalised, dog walkers claiming to feel intimidated by enforcement officers and confusion about whether the signs warning of the restrictions are in the right place, he says the PSPO is ruining his enjoyment of the open space.
Andrew is just one of many dog walkers who feel the new measures have sown division within the community, with many now opting to avoid the Stanmore park and go elsewhere for their walkies.
A year on from their implementation, many dog walkers have complained about the “unclear and confusing” nature of the new rules and feel they have been “targeted” by enforcement officers, resulting in what they describe as an “unpleasant atmosphere”.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Andrew described the implementation of the ban as “a bit of a mess”. He said: “Since the introduction of the new PSPO, myself and other dog walkers have begun to feel targeted – not only by enforcement officers, but by other patrons who hate dogs.
“It has caused a very unpleasant atmosphere, and this is not helped by having new signage which is vague and in the wrong location.”
In February 2024, Harrow Council initially tabled plans for a new PSPO, which would have seen dogs off leads banned throughout the whole of the roughly 250-acre nature reserve in the north east of the borough.
Following a backlash from dog walkers, the local authority passed a watered-down version of the plan, which restricted enforcement to a 2.9 mile circular walk – known as Deer Path Corridor – and in Spring Meadow from April 1 to July 31. Dogs are also banned from going in any of the nature reserve’s ponds and specifically marked watercourses.
The Bentley Priory Dog Walkers Group initially described the row back as a “satisfactory result”. However, many have since said the PSPO has created an “unpleasant atmosphere” and, rather than resolve any issues, claim it has been “divisive and ineffective”.
A common complaint amongst dog walkers is the wording and placement of the Deer Path Corridor signs that notify park-goers of the restricted zone. The original signs had to be replaced as they created confusion about where the corridor began and ended. They were then replaced by new wooden signs at either end of the path.
Harrow Nature Conservation Forum was supportive of measures to “reduce the damage caused by free running dogs” in Bentley Priory. The group’s Chairman, Stephen Bolsover, acknowledged that the initial signs were confusing but feels the problem has since been solved.
He told the LDRS: “Earlier implementations of the signs were perhaps confusing about where the Deer Park Corridor began and ended. However, the attractive new signs are clearly at the obvious start and end of the wooded section, so make perfect sense as well as being clear about when one enters and leaves the corridor. These new signs say nothing about dates. They simply state that dogs should be on a lead.”
This is not a sentiment shared by many dog walkers. Perry Lynch described his experience of the PSPO to date as “a mixture of shambolic and vindictive” and claims the signage is still incorrect. He said: “There had to be a second consultation because the first was deemed inadequate and there have been three sets of signs, with the latest set still in the wrong position and contrary to the PSPO map.”
The complaints about the signs hinge on claims that they have been put in the wrong place, with one of them said to have been placed “nearly 100m further along from where it should be”. This has meant some dog walkers alleging they have been told to put their dogs on leads outside of the restricted zone.
Perry said: “There have been a number of incidents of enforcement officers, as well as other members of the public who are against dogs, intimidating dog walkers as they now feel empowered by the signage – despite it being in the wrong place.”
Another local resident and dog walker, Luisa, added: “Not only are the signs confusing, but they are not always situated in the right places, making them even harder to follow. Pair that with the enforcement officers often regurgitating the wrong information about which areas are and are not included for dogs to be on-lead, and we’re left scratching our heads, wondering if we will get fined even though we are following the regulations.”
Sue described her experience with two of the wardens as “intimidating and upsetting”. She claims they followed her up and down the Deer Path Corridor for 15 minutes and insisted she had “broken the law” and needed to provide them with her details. She added: “I refused as my dogs were on leads and I hadn’t broken any law.
“I resorted to recording them on my phone following me up and down Deer Path Corridor as they should not be following a lone woman using intimidation tactics to try to obtain a name and address.”
Signs vandalised
Deputy Leader of Harrow Council, Cllr Marilyn Ashton, told the LDRS that the local authority is now “content that the signs are in the correct place” and there is “no reason” why people should be confused by them. However, she highlighted that new security measures have had to be installed in the park after two of the new signs were vandalised.
Cllr Ashton said: “The council officers are now content that the signs are in the correct place. [Regarding] enforcement, there have been a few problems including these very appropriate and well-designed signs being vandalised. This has made it necessary to install cameras to ensure that no additional criminal damage is done to the council’s property.
“[…] the council is being very reasonable and so there is now no reason for anyone to find this PSPO hard to follow as it covers only a very limited area of this SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) nature reserve where dogs are more than welcome as long as they are kept on a lead in the designated areas.”
The dog walkers spoken to by the LDRS have all condemned the acts of vandalism on the signs but many still “feel victimised”, particularly by comments made about the group online. Andrew claims dog walkers have been subjected to “veiled threats” of further enforcement patrols due to what they say are incorrect claims on Facebook by Harrow Council Conservatives that dogs “have caused significant damage to wildlife”.
One post suggests that cattle have had to be put down “due to injuries sustained by either dog attacks or by seriously hurting themselves when spooked by dogs”. Andrew claims this is “a complete lie” and exacerbates “the animosity towards law-abiding dog walkers”.
The post has subsequently been removed by the Conservatives and Andrew has received an apology after it was reportedly accepted that this was not true.
Many dog walkers claim the PSPO has been responsible for a large number no longer using Bentley Priory.
Despite the furore, vandalism and the council spending out on CCTV, just one Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) has been issued throughout its implementation.
Mahtab Manzoumeh told the LDRS: “The PSPO has been divisive and ineffective. Rather than resolving any real issues, it has caused unnecessary division among local residents. It feels like a waste of both time and taxpayers’ money.”
Full enforcement of the rules have been in place since August 1 last year, after a ‘soft introduction’ the previous month. Rule breakers could be hit with fines of £100 but Harrow Nature Conservation Forum Chairman Stephen said, as far as he has observed, the PSPO is being obeyed “quite well”, although there are “a few scofflaws”.
Harrow Council told the LDRS that the wording on the signage has been “consistent and in line with the PSPO”, with the restrictions “clearly outlined on the signs” alongside a QR code that directs people to the legislation and further details.
A spokesperson said: “These are in places which are most visible and give dog walkers enough opportunity to place their dogs on leads. This PSPO for Bentley Priory went through extensive consultation with 65 per cent agreeing with our proposals to have dogs on leads in three specific areas. We listened to what the majority of residents and park users wanted – including dog users.”
They added: “The PSPO helps us protect wildlife and allows everyone to enjoy Bentley Priory. The majority of park users are well informed and comply with the new rules. We have carried out lots of engagement prior to the order coming into force, sadly a small number of people refuse to comply despite being fully aware of the order.
“While we understand there are opposing views, it is unacceptable that a small minority are vandalising our signs for this reason. These instances have been reported to the police. Our officers will continue to patrol the area, engage with park users and issue fines to those found in breach of the PSPO.”
Grant Williams is a journalist and Local Democracy Reporter (LDR) for Reach PLC, reporting on local government, politics and community issues across London. As part of the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he has contributed to Harrow Online, covering council decisions, housing developments, transport, planning matters and stories affecting local communities across Harrow and Brent.
