IS a £100 fine or court prosecution fair for people who repeatedly feed gulls or cycle or skateboard dangerously in Worcester?
Your view on that question will likely be determined by personal experience. For example, if you've been dive-bombed or defecated on by a gull, or been hit by or had a near miss with someone who wasn't being careful while cycling or skateboarding, you'll probably back the council's planned Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for the city centre.
While some people may say that it's harsh to punish someone for feeding the gulls or pigeons, the reality is that the birds cause all kinds of issues in the city centre.
The aggressive way that the gulls hunt for food and protect their young – attacking people, birds and animals – is a genuine threat, while the droppings of both gulls and pigeons can spread disease.
Should these new powers be brought in, people who are found to be breaching the rules will be given a warning first and only if they refuse to change their behaviour will they be fined or face prosecution.
The principle is one of deterrence.
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