Council Withdraws £1,000 Fly-Tipping Fine Issued to Five-Year-Old

Harrow Council has rescinded a £1,000 fine it mistakenly issued to a five-year-old girl, following widespread criticism over the case.

The council’s environmental enforcement team had sent a fixed penalty notice (FPN) on November 20, alleging the child was “witnessed by a uniformed officer… committing the offence of fly-tipping.” However, the accusation stemmed from parcel packaging bearing her name, found on a street away from her home.

Father Calls Situation “Absurd”

The girl’s father condemned the fine as “absurd,” attributing the misplaced packaging to overflowing communal bins at their block of flats. Despite multiple attempts to resolve the issue through email and phone, the matter escalated.

On December 5, the council’s enforcement team sent a “final reminder” to the child, warning of potential court proceedings that could result in a maximum penalty of £2,500.

Case Raised at Council Meeting

The issue was eventually brought to a council cabinet meeting, where the fine was cancelled. Councillor Stephen Hickman, who intervened after the father sought help at a local ward surgery, criticised the process.

“While enforcing fly-tipping laws is important, residents expect a fair and transparent process,” Hickman said. “Charging a child is ridiculous and has caused significant stress for the family. I hope the council reviews its protocols to prevent similar errors.”

Apology from Contractor

APCOA, the contractor responsible for issuing the FPN, apologised to the family and confirmed the cancellation of the fine. A spokesperson stated, “We have taken steps to ensure such incidents do not happen again, as this case fell short of our usual high standards.”

Council Leaders Respond

Councillor Pritesh Patel, portfolio holder for cleaner streets and public safety, clarified that fining children is not council policy. Harrow Council leader Paul Osborn added, “The idea of a five-year-old paying a £1,000 fine is obviously unacceptable. We will investigate to ensure no such errors occur in the future.”

This incident has prompted calls for greater oversight in the council’s enforcement processes to avoid similar situations and ensure fair treatment of residents.