Khaberni - The British police arrested a woman and fined her 100 GBP (134 USD), after catching her feeding pigeons in a small park in the city of London, and the arrest sparked a wave of debate and criticism.
A video posted on social media shows a woman in her forties being detained by a group comprising at least six police officers and local council workers in Harrow, London.
Police officers searched the woman's pockets, while the man filming the video repeatedly asked them to stop, as they confiscated her belongings and placed them in plastic bags, then transferred the woman to a police car.
Later, the police released the detained woman and handed her a notice describing the offense as "throwing bread on the ground". The notice added that the woman had received a warning, "but she chose not to comply, prompting the police call."
She was issued a fine notice of 134 USD, which she must pay within 28 days or face legal prosecution.
Harrow Council announced that the woman violated the Public Places Protection Order, which prohibits feeding birds, and confirmed that she refused to stop feeding the pigeons when asked, and refused to provide her details to the police.
The council stated that the arrest was due to her violation of Article 50 of the Police Reform Act, which obliges individuals to provide their names and addresses when requested by the police.
According to British media, police intervention was following a report regarding the feeding of birds in the park, which is prohibited under local regulations aimed at reducing pigeon gatherings and the resulting environmental and health damages.
However, the manner in which the woman was treated, especially handcuffing her, raised widespread questions about the proportionality of the action to the nature of the violation.
Other actions prohibited under the Public Places Protection Order include aggressive begging, obstructing access to shops during business hours, and leaving waste in public places.
Any violation could lead to a legal prosecution notice, with fines up to 1000 GBP (1340 USD).
Harrow Council also issues several orders to protect public places, banning certain behaviors, including consuming alcohol and drugs.
