These reductions were to be made by a number of techniques, including the removal of the Trafalgar Square bird food seller's licence.

While feeding was still legal, feeders alleged that they were subjected to a period of intimidatory harassment in late October–early December 2002,[1][2][full citation needed][3][4] during the course of which a Harris's Hawk was also introduced.

In the run up to the ban Trafalgar Square had undergone a £25 million renovation and £140,000 worth of damage had been caused to Nelson's Column as a result of bird droppings.

In 2003 Ken Livingstone and the GLA rescinded their agreement with STTSP and made it illegal for anyone to feed the birds in Trafalgar Square; the penalty for doing so was set at £50.

[6] On 10 September 2007 bye-laws were secured that ensured bird feeding was banned throughout the entire square and surrounding areas, with a higher fine of £500 if this law was broken.