Anti-social behaviour patrols set to tackle pigeon problem in Dudley
Dudley Council is to launch an anti-social behaviour crackdown to solve the pigeon crisis blighting a town centre market.
A £150,000 investment in an eating area at Dudley market has been criticised after it attracted large numbers of the birds which left so many droppings it has been branded a health risk.
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A meeting of the council’s Communities and Growth Scrutiny Committee on February 9 heard the area is falling short of expectations.
Cllr Shaukat Ali said: “There are more pigeons using that than people, it is a health hazard and a risk.
“While I appreciate what has been said about monthly cleaning, currently you would be lucky to get two or three days, that is the frequency and level of pigeon droppings.
“Some people use that area to eat food and it is unacceptable for people to have to sit in that environment and more importantly the market traders who have to work in that environment.
“I sent an email to environmental health asking for their advice, they say there is a risk.”
After the meeting, Cllr Damian Corfield, Dudley cabinet member for neighbourhoods, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service people are feeding the pigeons and attracting the birds to the area.
Cllr Corfield said: “There is an issue with anti-social behaviour, we are going to be patrolling and having signs made telling people not to feed the birds.
“People are throwing food on the tables. People think they are doing a good thing by feeding the birds but they are encouraging them.”
Cllr Corfield said anyone caught feeding pigeons in the market area could be issued with a fixed penalty by council officers.
During the meeting, Cllr David Stanley said: “There is a problem with pigeons, it is an embarrassment to us and the market traders.”
An anti-social behaviour crackdown may also help get rid of yobs using the covered area in the market, it was heard.
Cllr Ali told the meeting: “It is a magnet for anti-social behaviour because it is now under cover, some people sleep overnight and some antisocial behaviour from other parts of the town has mobbed to that location.”
