A recent report by the national homeless charity Crisis, has found that Councils across England and Wales are targeting rough sleepers with antisocial behaviour measures such as Criminal Behavioural Orders (CBO’s) and Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO’s).
Their research has found that three quarters of rough sleepers have been through some kind of enforcement in the last year with formal measures and legal penalties in use against these vulnerable people.
Whilst the councils are quick to say support and advice is given alongside these measures, the report suggests it is usually only given when legal action is taken against rough sleepers, with most of these people arguing that they received no support or advice after enforcement measures were
taken against them, or that a poor level of support was offered alongside measures.
The charity has called on the Councils of England and Wales to ensure legal measures are used as last resorts and for appropriate levels of
support to be offered to those rough sleepers affected. The charity also called for better training to be offered to police and local agencies for when they advise rough sleepers.