Advocacy Tool
Complaint Wizard
Answer a few questions to generate a clean, professional formal complaint letter tailored to your situation.
This tool produces a draft for information purposes only and is not legal advice. Please review and adapt the letter to your own situation before sending it. See our full disclaimer.
Contact & Recipient Details
Enter your details and the details of the police force or local council you are writing to.
1. Your Details (Sender)
2. Recipient Details (Target Authority)
When, Where & Who Was Involved?
Enter any officer names, shoulder/collar numbers, or descriptions you remember.
Describe The Incident & Your Setup
Supporting Evidence & Desired Outcomes
Review Your Complaint
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13th August 2026
To:
FORMAL COMPLAINT REGARDING INCIDENT ON
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to submit a formal complaint regarding an incident that occurred on at approximately at .
The complaint concerns the following officer(s) / official(s):
1. Summary of Incident
I was lawfully street performing () when I was approached by the officer(s) named above. I was using a small battery-powered amplifier. I was positioned responsibly so as not to obstruct the highway, and pedestrians were able to pass freely without hindrance.
During the interaction, I stated to the officer(s): "".
2. Grounds for Complaint & Statutory Framework
2.1 Unlawful Enforcement of Anti-Social Behaviour / PSPO Powers
Officers stated that I was breaching the law due to a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), claiming: "".
Statutory guidance issued by the Home Office under Section 133 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 explicitly prohibits the use of PSPOs to restrict reasonable street activities:
"We have made it clear in the statutory guidance for frontline professionals that they should not use the new powers to stop reasonable activities such as busking..."
— Baroness Lady Williams [Official Report, 12/2/15; Col.1345]
Unless busking is explicitly prohibited in a valid PSPO (which directly contradicts Home Office guidance), officers had no lawful authority to order me to stop performing or leave the area.
2.1 Unreasonable Noise Complaint Response
Officers claimed I was causing a noise nuisance, stating: "".
Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, a statutory nuisance requires sound that is "prejudicial to health or a nuisance" in law. Busking during daytime hours in town centres is an established cultural activity and a legitimate use of public space. A single complaint or subjective officer opinion does not meet the legal threshold for statutory nuisance.
2.1 Unfounded Highway Obstruction Claim
Officers claimed I was obstructing the highway, stating: "".
Binding precedent established by the House of Lords in DPP v Jones [1999] 2 AC 240 confirms that the public has a right to make reasonable, peaceful use of the highway for activities incidental to passage, including street performance.
I was positioned in a location that left ample space for pedestrians and wheelchair users to pass safely without inconvenience.
2.1 Misapplication of Licensing Law
Officers claimed I required a licence or council permit to busk, stating: "".
Under Schedule 1 of the Licensing Act 2003, busking and street performance are explicitly exempt from entertainment licensing requirements. Unless a specific local act applies (such as in parts of Camden or Westminster), no permit is required for busking in England and Wales.
2.2 Unlawful Threats of Arrest
Officers threatened me with arrest. Under Section 24 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE), an arrest requires both reasonable suspicion of an offence and statutory necessity. Threatening arrest against a peaceful performer exercising rights protected under Article 10 (Freedom of Expression) and Article 11 (Freedom of Assembly) of the European Convention on Human Rights was unlawful and intimidating.
2.3 Unlawful Seizure of Property
My performance equipment was seized by officers. I request immediate return of my property and an explicit statement detailing the statutory power under which it was confiscated, reserving the right to claim damages for loss of earnings.
2.4 Refusal to Disclose Incident Reference Numbers
Officers refused to provide incident log/CAD reference numbers upon request. Police standards of professional behaviour require transparency and the provision of reference details to members of the public involved in police interactions.
3. Requested Outcomes
I request that this complaint be formally recorded and investigated under the Police Reform Act 2002 / relevant authority procedures. Specifically, I seek:
- A formal written apology acknowledging the error or misconduct.
- Confirmation that the officers involved will receive retraining regarding busking rights and public space enforcement.
- Full disclosure of all CAD logs, incident records, and complaint notes relating to this event.
- A formal written statement setting out the legal power relied upon for the officers' actions.
- Immediate return of seized property and compensation for financial losses incurred.
Under statutory guidance, you are required to acknowledge receipt of this complaint within 14 days. Please direct all future correspondence to the postal or email address provided above.
Yours faithfully,
