PSPO tweaked for beggars in Tavistock and Okehampton

Councillors change wording so vulnerable are protected

A public space protection order (PSPO) for Tavistock and Okehampton has been tweaked to ensure that people passively begging won’t be criminalised to make sure vulnerable people are protected.

Begging is one of the activities prohibited under the order that West Devon Borough Council is extending beyond central areas, and where offenders can face a fixed penalty of £100 if they breach it.

Officers can confiscate alcohol under the PSPO, which also bans people from urinating in public.

Cllr Patrick Kimber (Con, Hatherleigh) told a full council meeting he is very concerned by begging being included as it is “a public demonstration of failure in our communities” and is “upsetting and traumatic to see and clearly far worse to experience”.

He added: “It’s a person saying I don’t have any money, I don’t have any food, please help me.”

He said he couldn’t support the PSPO in its current form and asked for the wording to be changed to “aggressive begging” which would include situations where people are being intimidating, following someone or begging near cash machines or bus stops.

He said it is counterproductive and cruel to hit homeless people with fines they can’t possibly afford.

Cllr Holly Greenberry-Pullen (Lib Dem, Tavistock North) said she is also concerned about the potential criminalisation of people begging for subsistence and wanted “absolute assurance” that those who are passively begging are protected from enforcement.

She added she fully agrees with the PSPO as long as it is managed properly.

Cllr Jane Elliot (Green, Chagford), lead member for community wellbeing, said the order was about making sure public spaces could be enjoyed by everyone and that no-one is intimidated by begging or anti-social behaviour fuelled by alcohol.

Police would try to tackle issues through engagement in the first instance, the meeting was told.

Cllr Elliot said evidence shows ASB is a problem in both towns, but the neighbourhood sergeant is clear that the purpose is not to criminalise behaviour or stop people having a quiet drink in Tavistock Meadows or green spaces in Okehampton.

Council environmental health and licensing officer Karen Procter said anyone who is vulnerable would be provided with support.

A PSPO has been in place in Tavistock and Okehampton for several years but restricted to central and park areas. Police wanted it extended after anti-social behaviour moved to other areas.

Both towns have around 200 incidents of anti-social behaviour each year. Councillors agreed to prohibit “aggressive begging” only.