Friday, March 16, 2018

Criminalising the poor

Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) will be introduced in the Dorset town of Poole from 16 April in a bid to “tackle anti-social and nuisance behaviours.”

Beggars will be issued with fines of £100, its council has said. Fines could also be issued to those found sleeping rough in car parks and doorways. The policy also covers leaving unattended possessions in the street.

 Labour MP David Lammy tweeted, "Fining people who are homeless and sleeping on the street is one of the most cruel and pointless policies I have ever seen,” he wrote on Twitter. “Why criminalise people for being poor and vulnerable? We need to focus on the support and housing services that homeless people need.”

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

A disgusting approach by the council. The Orders will start around the same time the tourist season does. I suspect this is partly motivated by the council believing that homeless people will adversely affect the tourist trade.