Crying, feeding birds and TV could be CRIMINAL under bizarre new community crackdown

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Brits could end up on the wrong side of the law if they ignore community orders

Thousands of Britons could fall foul of the Victorian-style prohibitions being outlawed by local authorities using Community Protection Notices (CPNs).

Playing music, feeding birds and drinking alcohol in public are also listed in the bizarre crackdown. 

CPNs were introduced by current Prime Minister Theresa May during her time as Home Secretary.

Included in the 2014 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, the banned actions are given to prevent yobbish, anti-social behaviour.

The laws have been used against individuals or businesses such as takeaway shops banning them from doing certain things if they believe it will improve the quality of life in a location.

Anyone who fails to keep to the order can be punished by an on-the-spot fine of up to £100.

And – if it ends up in court – individuals can be fined up to £2,500, while businesses can be fined £20,000 for a breach.

Similarly to an Asbo, failure to comply is a criminal offence.

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Crying in the home could also fall under activities banned by local authorities

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Police officers, PCSOs and Town Hall security can issue the orders.

Authorities have been issuing CPNs for around one year, with 107 councils issued a total of 3,943 in 12 months.

Newham in east London imposed the most with 1,486 followed by Wakefield on 802.

A report by the Manifesto Club has suggested there is a “serious danger” the laws are being used to “impose unreasonable restrictions upon law-abiding members of the public”.

The powers are described as having the ability to criminalise ordinary behaviour – which can net councils a lot of money in fines.

The report states: “The CPN comes with such a low burden of proof, and such minimal procedural requirements, that there is a serious danger that it will be used to impose unreasonable restrictions upon law-abiding members of the public.”

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Communities can be forced to keep their gardens clean with CPNs

The Government has argued the orders are used to keep the streets clean and rid Britain of the kind of behaviour which blights neighbourhoods all over.

Councils say the orders, which allow them to target anti-social behaviour at a local level, have widespread public support.

Ministers said officials should target only those guilty of “persistent, unreasonable behaviour’” although the Manifesto Club claims this is not what is happening.

In Rotherham, one person was ordered to clean their windows inside and outside – and threatened with action while FIVE councils issued orders for crying or shouting in the home.

Further north, a person was told to prune all overgrown plants, shrubs and bushes in their front garden in Doncaster.

Four councils issued CPNs to stop people feeding birds, in East Devon, North Devon, Exeter and Conwy in Wales.

In Staffordshire, notices were imposed restricting shouting, arguing and crying.

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Elsewhere in East Lancashire authorities threatened action against a man who put up ‘inflammatory’ signs criticising a new housing development.

The report said: “Such orders undermine the privacy and sanctity of the home. If you cannot cry within your own house, or feed the birds in your garden, then the home has no significant meaning as a private space which is protected from the demands of the outer world.

“There appears to be little respect for the rights of home ownership or the notion that your house or garden are places that you can manage as you see fit.”

The Manifesto Club has suggested the people issuing the fines should be offering help.

It states: “CPNs replace Litter Clearing Notices, Street Litter Control Notices and Defacement Removal Notices, which were more specific powers that required a stronger test.

“CPNs are also being issued for cases that would be more fitting for local authority to offer help.”

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Businesses can also be fined up to £20,000 for breaking CPNs

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Josie Appleton, director of the Manifesto Club, said: “CPNs come with almost no restrictions on their use: a local authority officer can fill in a form ordering you to do or not do something, and it is a crime to disobey.

“The officer only need to believe your conduct is having a ‘detrimental effect’ on the area, which is an incredible low burden of proof.

“The potential for the abuse of this power is massive. 

“People can be issued with orders merely because their gardens are not in keeping with their neighbours.

“It is not all councils’ fault though – the government shouldn’t have created such blank-cheque powers in the first place.”