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Is It A Crime To Be Homeless Now

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nailit | 17:40 Fri 17th Nov 2017 | News
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http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/revealed-council-plan-fine-rough-787527
Link from my local paper.
The council are now going to fine homeless people who try to keep warm in a tent this winter. Fining homeless people up to £1000 is not only unworkable (where would they send the fine to?) its despicable.
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No, it isn't.
I would imagine that people living in a tent don't actually have a spare grand to pay a fine with - if they did, they'd be renting a roof over their head with it!

It appears our city prefers to regard homeless people as a nuisance, rather than a humanitarian problem to be addressed.

Half the Smithfield is empty, why don't they pop them in there for the winter?
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It was rhetorical Talbot.
Talbot - // No, it isn't. //

Why isn't it?
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Half of Hanley is empty andy :-(
PSPOs have been around a while now and are about broader issues than targeting homeless people.

Obviously they will fall foul of the Orders in certain areas.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/12/part/4/chapter/2/crossheading/public-spaces-protection-orders/enacted
I cba to look it up but has the Vagrancy Act been repealed now? It used to be illegal to sleep rough.
When was the last time the vagrancy act was used?
nailit - // Half of Hanley is empty andy :-( //

Indeed it is - I zeroed in on the Smithfield (for non-residents, it's a massive brand new office complex that is standing empty) because it is the council's flagship 'attraction' for businesses, which has singularly failed to 'attract' anything except a massive maintenance budget and zero revenue.
Certain sections remain on the books BM, but has largely 'withered' away [quote].

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vagrancy_Act_1824#Current_status
andy-hughes
Talbot - // No, it isn't. //

Why isn't it?


Because it isn't
What is the point of even attempting to fine people who are sleeping rough? Where will they get the money to pay the fines? I agree the problem needs to be tackled but this is not the answer.
Thanks Mamy. Seems that bit is still in force, just rarely used.
The fines will most likely go to those breaching other parts of the order (drinking,urinating etc) even those issuing fines would know someone homeless has no ID/address or means to pay.
Jack has it right at 17:56.
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Mamy, the fines are going to those sleeping in a tent as well.
Well, they are wasting resources there then.
Talbot - // andy-hughes
Talbot - // No, it isn't. //

Why isn't it?


Because it isn't //

Succinctly argued to your usual high standard of debate - can't think why I didn't see your point the first time.
What more do you want me to say?

At our last house we had a downstairs room, (no access to the rest of the house) that had a bed, walk in shower, loo and kitchenette that was available to homeless Ex-Service people sent by the Local Authority at no charge.
We are going to convert the garage where we are now to offer the same, probably early 2018.

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