Aggressive beggars in Durham could be targeted with orders

People are being asked for their views on proposals to make a public space protection order (PSPO) in Durham city.

The order is designed to tackle aggressive and anti-social begging while helping genuine homeless people in need, a Durham County Council cabinet meeting heard.

Intimidating beggars pose as homeless to gain sympathy, and many come to Durham for the "lucrative" opportunity, say council and police leaders.

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Alan Patrickson, the council's director of neighbourhoods and climate change, said: "Begging in Durham city centre is seen as a persistent and continuing problem, especially when associated with anti-social behaviour and aggressive begging techniques.

"There is a concern that begging is contributing not only to wider anti-social behaviour in the city but may also be linked with criminal activities.

"Intelligence also suggests that a number of those who beg in the city are travelling from outside of the city or even the county, as it seen as a lucrative opportunity in Durham city centre.

"It's also of considerable concern that some individuals who are regularly visible in prominent locations seek to give the appearance of being homeless in order to get the sympathies of the public.

"It's important to note that this PSPO is not intended to target the genuinely homeless in the city."

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He said the proposed PSPO would support work for those in real need "by helping to remove those masquerading as homeless for financial gain".

People who flout PSPOs, introduced under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, can be fined with fixed penalty notices by authorised council or police officers.

There are already PSPOs on drinking alcohol in Durham city and dog fouling county-wide.

Joy Allen, Durham Police and Crime Commissioner for Durham, said anti-social behaviour was residents' and businesses' top priority and people felt unsafe at night and intimidated by aggressive beggars near cashpoints.

She said she would encourage the Chief Constable and others to "utilise the full suite of criminal and civic tools and powers available to them".

Durham PCC Joy Allen. Picture: Northern Echo. (Image: Northern Echo, Newsquest)

She added: "In Darlington PSPOs have proven to be a useful additional enforcement tool that has helped both the police and partner agencies to tackle serious and persistent anti-social behaviour, including aggressive and anti-social begging in the town centre, effectively.

"And similar to Durham, the majority of them were not homeless, but begging, harassing and verbally abusing shoppers and residents for money.

"If supported, I have been assured that PSPO powers would be applied sensibly and not be used against genuine homeless people and rough sleepers.

"And they will only be considered as part of a suite of measures including support and education.

"It gives officers the instant and proportionate enforcement powers to issue fixed penalty notices."

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Cllr John Shuttleworth, cabinet member for rural communities and highways, said it was a deterrent, a powerful and flexible tool and an enforcement power.

But he said it was important to seek views before making a decision: "We are approaching this with a truly open mind and launching a consultation to determine the appetite for, and the potential nature of, a public space protection order for the city."

Cllr John Shuttleworth. Picture: Northern Echo.

Cllr Elizabeth Scott said: "Anti-social behaviour is consistently one of the most important issues raised by people across the county, and we should be seeking to use all of the tools available to us to address it.

"It equally important that we do so with the consent and the support of our communities."

Cllr Elizabeth Scott. Picture: Northern Echo.

Cllr Mark Wilkes added: "The intimidation of residents, and particularly of women, in our city is unacceptable.

"The public space protection order has the opportunity to address this, and it's really important that we now ask the public whether they support this order, and I'd urge all residents to provide their views."

Cllr Mark Wilkes. Picture: Durham County Council.

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