We previously published the account of a pensioner who was imprisoned for 15 weeks feeding the birds. Now the council – which has issued him with a Criminal Behaviour Order – is threatening him with prison again, this time for up to 5 years. Here is an updated statement from the pensioner.
Since March, I’ve had a Criminal Behaviour Order, with a map of my town outlining where not to feed the birds. However, the beach seems to not be outlined, therefore I’ve been feeding the birds on the beach for half an hour a day. I feed them sardines mixed with seeded loaves – I feed them the right food. And I feed them on the muddy side of the beach where no one goes. The birds that come are pigeons, ducks and gulls – when I put down food they circle overhead and make a noise, but after feeding they go, and because the gulls are fed they don’t go into land and steal food. There is no food left on the beach afterwards. No one is affected. I’ve had some people – mainly holiday visitors – saying what a wonderful thing I do, and one person gave me £20 for feed. Children love it and many others take pictures.
But I’ve had a few people shouting abuse, mostly old people amazingly, basically busybodies. I’ve had the same man taking pictures of me, hiding behind a fence, and his wife shouts at me. Another man takes pictures of me with a zoom lens. I think they are council spies.
I had a letter from the council saying that if I don’t stop feeding on the beach they will ask the court for a variation to the map to cover the whole beach and the whole of the district, so I won’t be able to feed the birds anywhere. If I feed they told me that I’ll have to go back to court for breach of the order then sentencing for 4 to 5 years in prison.
The council officer says that the birds are increasing in numbers and this is likely to cause more pollution in the bathing area. But the sea is already deeply polluted. The council is set to persuade the court that sea pollution is a direct result of my feeding. It’s a farce really, they seem determined to get me imprisoned for a number of years. I’ve received the same penalty as a dangerous criminal or a drug dealer. The woman in charge never listens to reason – she is unfriendly and condescending, threatening me with 5 years in prison. She won’t let it go, she will be after me. I have asked to deal with someone else at the council who is more respectful.
Then a few days ago I had another letter from the council officer, with a Community Protection Warning. This includes an extension of the restriction on feeding to the whole of my area including mid-sea, where the tide ends.
My council seems to have a thing about bird feeding – I’ve heard about a couple of pensioners locally who had CPNs for feeding birds in their own gardens.
I appreciate any support so I don’t feel alone or criminalised, for acts of kindness. I can’t stop, it’s part of my grief process. I just keep on feeding the birds, doing my thing. I shouldn’t have to deal with all this stress and aggression from the council.