Rough sleeping finally to be decriminalised

The Government has this week announced plans to abolish the 200-year-old Vagrancy Act, which makes it a criminal offence to sleep rough or beg in England and Wales. This will come into force next year and be replaced with new legislation aimed a tackling organised begging by gangs.

Salvation Army Director of Homelessness Services Nick Redmore said: “We strongly welcome the Government’s pledge to finally scrap the archaic and unfair Vagrancy Act — a law we’ve long campaigned to end. Rough sleeping is not a choice, but the result of a life in crisis and past trauma. People experiencing homelessness can be vulnerable and need protection and advocacy, not punishment and this move is a vital step towards compassion and change.

"A positive way the law could be used to get people off the streets, would be to reform homelessness legislation in England which currently leaves thousands without shelter and at risk of illness, injury and early death.  We urge Government to change the law so that rough sleepers are added to the priority need list for emergency and then longer-term housing but, in the long term, for the priority need list to be abolished so everyone who is homeless can be helped.

“However, we are pleased with plans for legislation that will aim to disrupt organised begging by criminal gangs, but it must be remembered that the vulnerable people who are forced into this cruel trade need to be protected. This is a form of modern slavery. Through our work delivering specialist support for survivors under a government contract, we regularly encounter people who have been exploited in this way. By identifying those affected, we can help them begin their recovery and access the life-changing support The Salvation Army provides.”

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