Peterborough council asks people not to feed wild birds in city centre, citing hostility towards cleaning staff

Peterborough City Council has published a "mythbuster" on its website explaining why people should not feed wild birds in the city centre and on the Embankment. The council says this applies even in the approaching colder months.

Complaints from staff

According to the council, its City Impact Team, which is responsible for cleaning, has been greeted with hostility in recent weeks when telling people they should not feed birds. The council argues there is no need to do so. During that time the team has cleared substantial mess from pavements, public seating, shopfronts and outdoor dining areas.

The council's arguments

The council stresses that the problem is not feeding birds as such, but many people feeding them in the same crowded places. It lists several effects:

• regular feeding draws large numbers of birds, especially pigeons, to the same spot, which can increase aggression and competition for food;
• droppings and leftover food can help spread disease. The risk to the general public is usually low, but cleaning contaminated areas can pose health risks to workers;
• acidic droppings gradually damage stone, metal, paint and roofing materials, and increase the risk of slipping;
• discarded food can attract foxes and be picked up by dogs;
• feeding favours pigeons and gulls over smaller birds.

The council also says residents and businesses have previously complained about mess on pavements, and about noise and sometimes aggression from birds in Cathedral Square and the city centre. It says the aim is not to discourage birds, but to have a healthy urban bird population without artificial feeding hotspots.

Litter and fines

The council reminds people that littering can lead to a £100 fixed penalty notice. It also says that feeding garden birds responsibly can be beneficial, especially when natural food is scarce, and that a small amount of food at homes across the city is fine.

What this means for you

This affects people who live in Peterborough or spend time in the city centre. The source we used does not mention fines for feeding birds itself. The £100 penalty mentioned relates to littering. The council considers feeding birds in a home garden acceptable.