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To: Exeter City Council

Don't fine the homeless of Exeter for begging.

Remove begging from the list of things police and PCSO's can move people on or fine people for.
The homeless of Exeter are already extremely vulnerable and have so little. Forcing a hefty fine on people without a home will marginalise them further. Fining them is not a solution to homelessness. It will only increase the problem further.

Why is this important?

Exeter Council are handing out fines to people who beg for food or money from strangers. 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.
These people need support, like shelters and access to food and advice, not fines for asking for money.
Fining them will not solve the problem of homelessness, it will divide us even further.

Edit:
In an effort to be transparent please read the following:

It has been brought to my attention that this new public spaces protection order(PSPO) is not set to be decided until the end of February, if we can stop it from happening in the first place that would be amazing.
Also, the PSPO specifically targets 'aggressive' begging, which is described as begging near a cash point or approaching people directly. A link to this information is below:
https://cllrpaul4cowick.wordpress.com/category/pspo/

I personally do not know how different officers will enforce this, or how subjective 'aggressive' is.
I do not mind being approached for money, however you may feel differently.

The link to the information I was originally presented with is here:
http://m.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/could-you-be-in-trouble-under-exeter-8217-s-public-spaces-protection-order/story-30027760-detail/story.html

Thank you,
Ella
Exeter

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Links

Stop fining homeless people

Updates

2017-02-01 10:16:58 +0000

The areas around BHS and Store Twenty One (both empty stores) have been blocked and signs placed stating that any persons or objects blocking the doorways will be moved on...
The shops aren't in use, I don't see how or why they can do this. Maybe it's because of the PSPO's. Whatever the reason it seems unfair. We need to up the impetus. I will be talking with 38 degrees soon to discuss where to go next with this campaign and how best to make an impact.
I will update you all with any news.
A big thanks again to everyone for signing and sharing this campaign!

2017-01-13 11:19:28 +0000

1,000 signatures reached

2017-01-11 22:22:15 +0000

500 signatures reached

2017-01-11 14:23:31 +0000

I just want to say a big thank you to everyone that has signed so far.
Some of you have asked where I got the information about the fines. 38 degrees emailed me directly with links to an article in the Express and Echo, as well as details of similar things happening up and down the country. They asked if I would be willing to set up a campaign to try and stop this in Exeter so I have.
The link to the article for anyone interested is here:
http://m.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/could-you-be-in-trouble-under-exeter-8217-s-public-spaces-protection-order/story-30027760-detail/story.html

They don't define 'aggressive', so who knows what one police officer or PCSO would deem to be aggressive in comparison to another.

Please continue to share, let's hope we can stop this before any of Exeter's homeless feel the effects.
Thank you,
Ella 😊

2017-01-11 10:02:31 +0000

100 signatures reached

2017-01-11 09:01:10 +0000

50 signatures reached

2017-01-11 00:31:39 +0000

25 signatures reached

2017-01-10 18:36:20 +0000

10 signatures reached