Warning of bogus enforcement officers near Highgate

Council enforcement officers never take cash directly from residents to pay for Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) of any kind, warns Haringey Council, following a report of bogus enforcement officers extorting money from a dog walker.

The resident, who was walking their dog off-lead in Alexandra Palace Park, was wrongly told that they must hand over money as a penalty (FPN) for breaching a Dog Control Order, saying that dogs must be on a lead.

The truth is that Dog Control Orders are not yet in force in Haringey and if they were, any identified breaches would be dealt with by means of a Fixed Penalty Notice - a piece of paper detailing the infringement and providing information on how and where the penalty can later be paid. Haringey Council does not issue "On-the-Spot-Fines".

Cllr Nilgun Canver, Cabinet Member for the Environment, says:

"Our enforcement officers will never ask for nor take cash in payment for a penalty, be that a parking infringement or a breach of another type of order. If anyone is approached by someone claiming to be a council officer and demanding cash, either in the street or at their door, they can be sure this is a bogus officer and a crime is taking place, even if they display an ID card.

"Please let the council and the police know if you are approached for cash and act with your own safety in mind."

• Note: Details of any Dog Control Orders and which parks will accommodate off-lead dog walking have not yet been finalised. No new restrictions currently apply in Alexandra Palace Park.