PLANS to introduce fines for people caught begging in the town centre have been criticised by a national civil liberties group.

Earlier this month, it was announced Swindon Borough Council had begun a public consultation on the introduction of Public Space Protection Orders.

If these are introduced, fines could be issued for a number of offences, including drinking, drawing on pavements and having a dog off a lead.

The order is a power under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and, once in force, any breaches can incur an instant fine of up to £100, or a maximum of £1,000 if the breach goes to court.

Also included in the items being consulted on is begging, which has drawn criticism from Liberty.

The campaign group argues that while drinking in the street is someone’s choice, begging is not. It believes the PSPOs punish the symptoms rather than tackle the causes.

Rosie Brighouse, Legal Officer for Liberty, said: “We’ve seen a rash of proposed PSPOs nationwide which risk criminalising the most vulnerable in society.

“Begging is the result of poverty, yet rather than alleviate such hardship the Council’s proposal will simply fast-track so-called ‘offenders’ into the criminal justice system.”

However, the council has defended the move and denied it is criminalising the homeless.

A spokesman said the council does a lot to help those on the street in Swindon.

He said: “The proposed PSPO is designed to tackle behaviour that has a detrimental effect on people’s quality of life and we are currently asking the public for their views on the various elements of the order.” This comes after a separate consultation between the council, police and other partners.

He added: “The PSPO is one of a number of tools used to tackle anti-social behaviour.

"It is not designed to fast-track anyone into the criminal justice system. Swindon Borough Council works in a number of ways to support the most vulnerable in our society, including those in poverty.”

Also being consulted on are skateboarding in the town centre and aggressive charity collection.

When news of the consultation was announced, Inspector Steve McGrath, of the town centre neighbourhood policing team, said: “The ethos behind it is looking at problem solving, and something we can use to make the town centre a better place to live.

“This is very much a partnership way of looking at things at the moment.”

The PSPO consultation is at www.swindon-csp.org.uk where there are details of the proposed order and a short survey.

The consultation ends on October 31.