Messy gardens earn Asbo in slew of ‘petty’ council orders

PEOPLE whose garden is overgrown are among those to have received Asbos from their local council, under what has been deemed a “busybodies’ charter”.

Local authorities issued record numbers of “petty” anti-social behaviour orders last year, targeting messy gardens, “sitting on the pavement” and even feeding stray cats, according to a campaign group.

Last year, a record 10,413 fines were issued for breaches of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOS), which allow councils to ban activities deemed “detrimental” to residents.

Figures for 2019 obtained through freedom of information requests by the Manifesto Club also show 8,760 Community Protection Notices (CPNS) were issued by 202 councils in England and Wales, up from 6,234 by 192 councils the previous year. These let wardens impose restrictions on individuals if their behaviour is considered “detrimental”.

The Manifesto Club, which campaigns against the “hyper-regulation of everyday life” has argued that “overuse of the blank cheque powers” under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 has led to legal restrictions in England and Wales on minor matters such as swearing and spitting.

The Local Government Association defended using the powers as “one of a number of ways councils can tackle persistent anti-social behaviour problems raised by local communities”.

The largest number were issued for “messy” or “eyesore” gardens and neighbourhood disputes, including an artist from London issued with a notice by a council officer who objected to her “woodland-style” garden.

Peterborough, Bedford and Hillingdon councils accounted for 63 per cent of on-the-spot penalties of up to £100.

Josie Appleton, director of the Manifesto Club, said: “Councils are not set up to be police, prosecutors, judge and jury, but that is essentially what is being condensed by these powers into one.”