Labour council accused of ‘criminalising homelessness’

‘A Labour-run council has been accused of effectively criminalising the poor and vulnerable, as campaigners claim the local authority is considering using Public Space Protection Orders against homeless people.
Rochdale Borough Council has allegedly proposed ten separate offences, including a ban on people “placing themselves in a position to beg or solicit money” and introducing on-the-spot fines for swearing in public.
The council is also said to want to place a curfew on under-18s between 11pm and 6am – a measure usually reserved for a national emergency – and criminalise the unauthorised distribution of printed materials, which campaigners say could violate residents’ freedom of expression and cause significant harm to local businesses.’
Read more: Labour council accused of ‘criminalising homelessness’