1,000 signatures reached
To: Blackpool Council
Blackpool: Fining the Homeless for begging
Blackpool Council are handing out fines to people who beg for food or money in the city centre. It’s an attempt to sweep homelessness and begging out of the area, but it could mean people sleeping on the streets over winter face fines they can’t afford.
Why is this important?
Blackpool Council are already handing out fines to people sleeping rough on the streets, this petition is here to stop them. At least 90 penalties have been handed out so far according to a Freedom of Information request. Fines can be up to £100 according to the Council's website https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Residents/Planning-environment-and-community/Crime-and-safety/Public-Space-Protection-Orders.aspx
If we get over 1500 signatures we can trigger a council debate. Being homeless isn’t a crime and they shouldn’t be fined for not having a home. Targeting those with nothing to pay nonsensical fines is a crime itself. The council are leaving our most vulnerable even further out of reach of help, these people can’t afford food and don’t have a decent place to sleep at night, fining them isn’t going to help the situation. It then becomes our responsibility to do the right thing and stop these awful fines from continuing in our town.
This campaign is based on this information from Blackpool council's website:
If you have anything that suggests that Blackpool Council are no longer able to fine people for begging then we'd love to hear more from you, drop us an email at [email protected]
