Criminal Justice Bill: Charity CEO slams proposals to reintroduce powers to prosecute homeless under new plans

The Vagrancy Act of 1824 was introduced to clear camps of sailors or soldiers who’d been made homeless as a result of war. However, the act stayed in place until 2021 when the government agreed to repeal it - but they didn’t give an end date until a replacement bill was in place. At the time, a government spokesperson said: “We are very clear that we are not criminalising rough sleeping and the government will repeal the outdated Vagrancy Act.

“We have guys that have been suffering domestic violence, some whose family members have passed away so they've become homeless. “So many different stories and they are wanting to punish them further? “We work with souls, who lead chaotic lifestyles. We had a guy with a cot mattress with him to sleep on. I just don't know what this world is coming to but we will continue to help where we can and be the voice for the guys that go unheard.

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