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Park police want power to fine by-law breakers
Elizabeth Hopkirk, Evening Standard10.09.08
Royal Parks chiefs are pressing for a change in the law to allow police officers to issue on-the-spot fines to people breaking by-laws.
It would mean cyclists caught riding in forbidden areas of the eight Royal Parks, dog owners who fail to clear up after their pets and people lighting fires or even playing musical instruments could be hit with a £40 or £60 fine.
The proposal is backed by the Met. Currently transgressors can only be prosecuted through the courts, a longwinded and costly process. Most offenders are simply given a ticking off, said a police spokesman.
Yet the Met, which has been responsible for policing the open spaces since 2006, has long been allowed to issue fixedpenalty notices to people breaking minor regulations elsewhere in the capital.
It emerged today that Mark Camley, chief executive of the Royal Parks Agency, has written to Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary, asking him to extend the scheme into the parks.
Mr Camley said: "At the moment if cyclists use pedestrian footpaths the case goes to the magistrates' court. The process takes around seven months. We've applied to change current legislation to enable us to give out on-the-spot fines for cyclists who are not using designated areas."
The fines could also be imposed for more arcane breaches of park by-laws, including stealing eggs from birds nests.
Offenders would be issued with a penalty notice on the spot but would have a fixed period to pay the fine.
A Royal Parks spokeswoman said: "It would cut down on the paperwork and speed up the process. We think it would improve the parks for everyone." A spokesman said Scotland Yard had been looking into the idea for some time.
He added that police would publicise any change in the law widely before they began fining people.
At the moment troublemakers who are prosecuted successfully through the magistrates' courts can be fined up to £200, but cases rarely get this far.
The eight Royal Parks are Regents Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Green Park, St James's Park, Greenwich Park, Bushy Park and Richmond Park.
The rules would also apply to Brompton Cemetery, Victoria Tower Gardens and Grosvenor Square Gardens which come under Royal Parks jurisdiction.
A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Justice confirmed it had received Mr Camley's letter and was looking into the proposals.
NOT ALLOWED
Banned under Royal Parks by-laws
Demonstrations - including in the Mall and the area around Buckingham Palace
Landing a helicopter or aeroplane, except in an emergency
Dropping litter Cycling, skateboarding or rollerblading anywhere except on roads and designated areas
Failing to keep an animal under control
Allowing a dog to foul pathways or mown lawn areas
Riding, driving, cycling or skating in a dangerous manner
Driving off-road Lighting a fire or discarding a lighted match
Banned without written permission from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport:
Interfering with any plant or fungus
Stepping on flowerbeds
Selling or renting anything
Exhibiting notices or advertisements
Playing musical instruments
Camping or erecting a tent or gazebo
Washing or drying laundry
Radios
Discharging a weapon or projecting any missile
Collecting money
Making a speech, except for at Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park
Putting on a play or a parade
Filming or taking photographs for commercial purposes
Fishing
Injuring or worrying animals or birds
Taking eggs
Boating or swimming in any water other than designated areas
Feeding or touching deer and pelicans
Riding animals except in designated areas
Towing or parking a caravan
Reader views (8)
In one hand, this a good a good idea to protect the gardens! We should consider some exceptions (busy areas, children care, etc.). In the other hand, the people should enjoy theirs parks and do some sports! So, we need to clarify what we can do and where (in a logical reason). The main issue is the respect for each other! If we love the other we will respect them, even if their are different os us!
- Jean-Paul Marchand, Greenford
This is ridiculous. All the existing cycle paths through Hyde park just follow the roads, making them almost entirely pointless. Why shouldn't cyclists get to enjoy the greenery (and shortcuts)? London has pathetic provisions for cyclists, which is a shame because it is in most need of them.
- Tim, London
Excellent news. In the last few months three dogs have been killed, and one injured by cyclists riding on paths which are just for pedestrians in Kensington Gardens.
- Julia Edge, London. UK
These funding opportunities have been overlooked for too long.
Hopefully there is scope for some new rules, like eating a sandwich or wearing bright clothing.
Just needs blue sky thinking.
- Frank H., London.
Why not? Everyone else and their dog are allowed to. Why shouldn't these guys have some of the action? (And yes -I was being sarcastic!)
- Rogan, DFW TX
The police are generally not educated, restrained or learned enough to have such authority.
- Jane Bewick, London
Yet more jobs-worths want to be seen as policeman, judge and jury. This is appalling. The attitude of traffic-wardens is bad enough.
- Keith Price, Luton, England
Gosh, what a lot of rules! Clearly we need a zero tolerance policy here, with police diverted from other duties to keep things under control.
- Adam, London, UK
