Time for tougher powers to deal with begging, trespass and tents
Westminster Conservatives are glad the Government will scrap the Vagrancy Act and stop making rough sleeping a crime. However, we are calling on the Government to bring in strong new laws at the same time to deal with anti-social behaviour by some people on the streets.
Conservative Group Leader Cllr Paul Swaddle OBE explains,
"Westminster Conservatives have campaigned for years to repeal the outdated Act that was introduced over 200 years ago to respond to soldiers returning from the Napoleonic Wars.
"Our former MP, Nickie Aiken, campaigned tirelessly to have the Act repealed and most importantly replaced with legislation that dealt with the persistent anti-social behaviour we see on our streets and for proper funding to tackle the causes of rough sleeping, namely mental health and addiction problems. The last Government had agreed to repeal the Act and introduce new stronger laws for the police and councils but ran out of time to introduce them due to the General Election.
"What we need, and what I and my team will campaign for, are tougher powers for the police and local authorities to deal with begging, trespass, and tents. We must also deal once and for all with the organised criminal begging gangs we see across Westminster.
"I know so many of you share my concerns that Labour-run Westminster City Council has failed to use the current laws available to them to remove the tent cities that have appeared in places like Park Lane and under the Westway. If the Conservatives are returned to run Westminster next May I pledge that I will immediately clear these tents using current legislation and the new powers the Government is promising.
"Repealing the Vagrancy Act is the right thing to do. But only if the Government ensures we have the powers needed to address crime and anti-social behaviour to keep our streets safe."
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