Cleaner and safer Royal Parks
Visitors to London’s Royal Parks can expect a cleaner and safer experience this summer thanks to new measures announced today.
Visitors to London’s Royal Parks can expect a cleaner and safer experience this summer thanks to new measures announced today by Justice Minister Crispin Blunt.
The Government plans to give police the power to issue on-the-spot penalties to people who drop litter, fail to clear up after their dogs or who cycle in prohibited areas of the parks, which cover 5,000 acres of the capital including Hyde Park, The Regent’s Park and Greenwich Park.
The new powers will bring the Royal Parks in line with other parks and public areas around the capital and country and will help the police to tackle anti-social behaviour quickly and effectively. They extend on the police’s existing powers to press court charges against offenders breaking laws around littering, dog-fouling and illegal cycling in the parks. They are expected to come into force in July.
Justice Minister Crispin Blunt said:
‘We want to make sure police have the best options available to them to keep our Royal Parks clean and safe for the millions who enjoy them every year. These on-the-spot penalties are a common sense solution that can be used to stop people who wantonly spoil the enjoyment of others with their selfish behaviour.’