People sleeping rough in locations across England face being fined at least £100 by councils using controversial banning orders.

Human rights organisations have hit out at local authorities for threatening people with fines for sleeping on the street or begging by using so-called PSPOs

Public Space Protection Orders were introduced in 2014 and give councils powers to fine people for behaviour that would not normally be considered criminal.
But a Freedom of Information request by metro.co.uk shows more than a dozen have used them to threaten people with fines for begging, while at least four have powers to fine people for sleeping rough.
The councils say the orders were introduced to tackle anti-social behaviour but homeless charities say they risk making things tougher for already vulnerable people.

Rick Henderson, chief executive of Homeless Link, said the statistic was particularly concerning given a rise of 51% in rough sleepers across England.
‘It is unacceptable that people who do not choose to sleep rough are being fined for their misfortune,’ he said.

‘People that are sleeping on our streets need to be supported, not banned or fined.
‘Instead of these draconian measures we need a strategic, cross government approach to dealing with homelessness.
‘We urge government to work closely with the sector to find a solution to end rough sleeping once and for all.’

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