Ellie Ames 09 December 2024

‘Busybody’ fines surged 42% last year

‘Busybody’ fines surged 42% last year image
Image: cornfield / Shutterstock.com

There was a 42% spike in the number of on-the-spot fines issued for offences like swearing, loitering, drinking alcohol and begging in England and Wales last year, new research has found.

According to the Manifesto Club, 298 local authorities issued 19,162 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) in 2023 to people breaching public spaces protection orders (PSPOs), which ban activities in a named area.

The group, which campaigns for freedom in public spaces, said councils had issued 13,443 FPNs the previous year, which was itself a record high.

The new research revealed that penalties were not distributed evenly among councils, with 145 authorities issuing none and 50 issuing fewer than six.

Meanwhile, three London borough councils each issued more than 3,000 fines: Harrow, Redbridge, and Hillingdon.

Campaigners said more fines were being issued due to the increased use of private enforcement officers, who are paid per fine and issue penalties ‘at a much higher rate than local authority staff’.

The group also said a growing number of penalties were issued for ‘vague or subjective’ offences, and argued that 'anyone could sometimes fall foul of broad PSPOs punishing "excessive noise", "nuisance", "reckless behaviour" or "gathering in a group"’.

Offences reported by councils included having dogs off leads, drinking alcohol in public, ‘untidy yards and gardens’, begging, spitting, loitering, gathering in a group, rough sleeping, and shouting.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Early Help Family Practitioner - 12 month FTC

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£39150.00 - £42861.00 per annum
Be the support that helps families find their strength and move forward.Be the support that helps families find their strength and move forward. As England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development

Swansea Council
£73,908 - £85,884
As Head of HR and OD Swansea (Abertawe)
Recuriter: Swansea Council

Early Help Practitioner

Durham County Council
Grade 6, £28,142 - £31,022 per annum
Durham County Council are on a continuous improvement journey in relation to its Early Help service. We are one of 75 Local Authorities who are part o Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Legal Clerical Assistant

Durham County Council
£26,403 to £28,598 p.a. (Grade 5)
A vacancy has arisen within Business Services for a full time, permanent Legal Clerical Assistant to provide legal clerical support to solicitors and Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Practice Coordinator

Durham County Council
Grade 13 - £47,181 - £51,356
Do you love supporting practitioners to bring their best selves to their work? We are looking for a Practice Coordinator to support our Social Worker Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner