A retired teacher has been threatened with criminal charges after fallen leaves were allegedly thrown onto her neighbor’s driveway.
Lorraine Perro, 66, was visited by officers from Nottinghamshire Police who said her garden waste constituted anti-social behavior and handed her a community protection warning.
Ms. Perro was so intimidated by the warning that she erected a net on her property to catch fallen leaves and bark.
She claimed that the source of the waste was dead leaves from trees in the nearby park which does not belong to her.
Ms Perro accused Nottinghamshire Police of overstepping their powers, adding it had infringed on her freedoms.
Lorraine Perro, 66, was threatened with criminal charges after dead leaves were allegedly thrown onto her neighbor’s driveway.
Ms Perro accused Nottinghamshire Police of overstepping their powers, adding it had infringed on her freedoms. She said: ‘I have no conviction and this has caused me great distress’
Ms Perro was visited by officers from Nottinghamshire Police who said her garden waste constituted anti-social behavior and handed her a community protection warning (pictured).
She said: “I have no conviction and this has caused me great distress.
“We have a park where the trees blow over my driveway and my neighbors’ driveways. But the police tell me that I am responsible.
“I asked why the police didn’t also warn the squirrels and birds – the wind was moving the leaves.
“I had to install a net to stop the leaves from blowing away. I feel terribly intimidated by this.
“My rights and freedoms are affected, because this ignores my right to have my garden as I wish.
“You are treated like the culprit, like you did something wrong and you don’t have a chance to respond or defend yourself.
“I am sure the public would like to see better use of police time and resources to prevent serious crime.”
While Ms Perro was told the CPW primarily referred to garden bark, police confirmed action could be taken “whether it be leaves, bark (or) stones , which could reasonably have been avoided.
Ms. Perro was so intimidated by the warning that she erected a net on her property to catch fallen leaves and bark.
While Ms Perro was told the CPW primarily referred to garden bark, police confirmed action could be taken “whether it be leaves, bark (or) stones , which could reasonably have been avoided.
The warning letter given to Ms Perro also accused her of “reckless parking”, which had caused difficulty for her neighbour.
And he accused him of “allowing gardening materials from your yard to be funneled into your neighbor’s driveway.”
Nottinghamshire Police denied that fallen leaves could be covered by the warning.
Ms Perro’s experience is just one of several highlighted in a report by civil liberties group Manifesto Club, which highlighted police abuse of their powers over anti-social behaviour.
Other incidents include a hotel owner receiving a CPW for a false dog filth charge and a pensioner banned from feeding a stray cat in his garden.
And Nottinghamshire Police were found to have attempted to criminalize people who set off fireworks and those who left their belongings unattended.
The report warns that police officers are engaged “in a dangerous path of ‘fast and loose’ policing.”
It revealed that many police forces in England and Wales do not record the community protection notices they have issued.
And he warned that new provisions in the Home Office’s Criminal Justice Bill could see children as young as 10 issued CPNs and on-the-spot fines increased to £500.
Josie Appleton, the report’s author, said: “It is reckless for the Government to move forward with the Criminal Justice Bill when civil servants have so little idea of how the current powers are used.
“The Manifesto Club receives unfair cases every week, suggesting that abuse is widespread.
“The main result of an increasing relaxation of powers and even heavier sanctions will be more injustices.
“These powers take police into areas where they have no business, like feeding stray cats and falling leaves in driveways, wasting their time and leading to misery for innocent citizens.”
A Nottinghamshire Police spokesperson said: “Nottinghamshire Police use community protection warnings when a person has failed to continually change their behavior, causing problems for their neighbors and communities.
“This is a long-standing dispute between two people which has lasted for several years, which includes a multitude of allegations for which the police have been called.
The warning letter given to Ms Perro also accused her of “reckless parking”, which had caused difficulty for her neighbour. And he accused her of “allowing gardening materials from your yard to be funneled into your neighbor’s driveway.”
Ms Perro’s experience is just one of several highlighted in a report by civil liberties group Manifesto Club, which highlighted police abuse of their powers over anti-social behaviour. Other incidents include a hotel owner receiving a CPW for a false dog misconduct accusation.
“A community protection warning has been issued to both people involved. Fallen leaves or leaves blown onto walkways are not the reason this community warning notice has been issued. It is vitally important that our resources are directed to those in need and that we focus on the serious crimes that are blighting our communities.
“Community protection warnings are therefore designed to ensure that behavior does not escalate and, in this case, it was a last resort.”
“We work closely with Rushcliffe Borough Council around our parks and playgrounds to ensure they are safe places for the community to enjoy.” This includes the fight against alcohol consumption in the streets, against drugs, including discarded syringes, and against the dumping of waste.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We know the serious impact that anti-social behavior can have on both individuals and the wider community. Everyone has the right to feel safe where they live, which is why the Criminal Justice Bill includes measures to strengthen the powers of the police, local authorities and other partners to tackle crimes. antisocial behavior. This includes extending the use of public space protection orders for police.
“The legislation contains clear safeguards and legal tests to ensure the fair and proportionate use of these measures. Last year we published updated statutory guidance to help local areas use these powers effectively.
dailymail us
