Take action to reduce criminalisation of homeless people in Poole

5 August 2020

Chris Rigby, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP) Council Green Party Councillor for Winton East, has written to all Green Party members in Poole with his concerns about changes to restrictions which will affect rough sleepers and homelessness in Poole.

BCP Council is proposing that the Poole Town Centre and Holes Bay Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) be varied to remove a number of the restrictions, which would no longer be needed as they will be covered through the introduction of the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme Scheme.
The PSPO was introduced by the Borough of Poole in 2018 and was reported in the Bournemouth Daily Echo.

Cllr Rigby writes that we need to take action to avoid criminalisation of homeless people in Poole. He says “Essentially from my perspective, the proposed changes will remove the restrictions particularly designed to target rough sleepers, whilst retaining those which can be used to prosecute aggressive/professional beggars.

“The key changes I'd like to see are the removal of the left belongings clause, and that which fines for having an open vessel for begging.

“We need lots of positive consultation responses to the changes and we need them quite quickly. The consultation deadline is midnight this Sunday, 9th August.”

You can read more and respond now to the BCP Council consultation.
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