Residents will face an on the spot £80 fine if they feed pigeons in Redbridge

Pigeons on the streets of Ilford. Picture: Ken Mears Archant

Feeding the birds in Redbridge will cost you more than a tuppence a bag.

Share Email this article to a friend To send a link to this page you must be logged in.

An Ilford pigeons about to eat some bread. Picture Ken Mears. An Ilford pigeons about to eat some bread. Picture Ken Mears.

Redbridge Council has warned that pigeon feeders face an £80 on the spot fine and a possible £2,500 trip to court.

In a statement issued on its website, the council reminded the public that giving food to birds could cause health and sanitation risks.

“If you feed pigeons, they won’t eat everything you give them and the leftovers attract rats and mice who can in turn spread diseases to humans,” a council spokesman said.

“You’re really not helping the pigeons by feeding them bread and snacks - this can actually lead to them becoming malnourished and dying due to eating food which is not their natural diet.

“Please don’t feed the pigeons.”

In April legislation came into effect to make feeding pigeons an illegal act in Ilford town centre.

A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) – which gives authorities more powers to tackle low level anti-social behaviours such as spitting and public urination - could be used in pigeons feeding cases.

If you value what this story gives you, please consider supporting the Ilford Recorder. Click the link in the orange box above for details.