Council defends provisions of Public Space Protection Order on rough sleeping

A borough council has defended its approval of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) that could see rough sleepers issued with £100 fixed penalty notices.

David Banks, Executive Manager for Neighbourhoods at Rushcliffe Borough Council, said: “The Public Space Protection Order has been brought in to help tackle anti-social behaviours associated with street drinking and rough sleeping which have been causing a nuisance in public spaces in West Bridgford.

“In the designated area, police, police community support officers and council officers have certain powers to help tackle these behaviours which will help to prevent some of the associated issues , such as begging, urinating and defecating in the street, littering and aggressive or intimidating behaviour.”

Banks added that the £100 Fixed Penalty Notice was “a last resort” and would only be given out to people who had refused support and assistance from the council and relevant charities, and did not comply with the authorised officer’s request to stop the unacceptable behaviour.

“We would always try to support homeless people to move to suitable accommodation because the council takes a proactive approach to homelessness. We have an excellent track record in supporting homeless people with a connection to Rushcliffe to find accommodation and get back on their feet,” he said.

A failure to pay the fixed penalty notice could lead to prosecution and, potentially, a £1,000 fine.

Rosie Brighouse, legal officer for Liberty, told the BBC that PSPOs were "blunt instruments prone to misuse".

"A cruel trend has developed of councils using these powers against the most vulnerable in society," she said. "Sleeping rough is not 'anti-social behaviour', and criminalising homelessness does nothing to address its underlying causes. The government needs to urgently scrap these dangerously overbroad powers."