PROTESTORS will take to the town centre this weekend to make a stand against a controversial order they claim is criminalising homeless people.

The Swindon Trades Union Council will stage a mass lie-in in Wharf Green on Saturday at noon as they call upon Swindon Borough Council to withdraw the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which covers the town centre.It came into force in February and prohibits acts such as aggressive begging and street drinking.

Breaches of the order, a power under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, incur an instant fine of up to £100, or a maximum of £1,000 if the breach goes to court.

Swindon TUC claim the order is demoralising to homeless people but SBC say although 2,000 warnings have been given, no-one has been fined for offences, proving the PSPO is having the desired deterrent effect.

The council are seeking views on amendments to the order’s powers, including fines for the homeless.

Consultation documents note fixed penalty notices will not be issued to individuals found to be genuinely homeless or unable to pay a fine.

Nikki Dancey, Swindon TUC member said: “Poverty is not a crime. The criminalisation of homeless people is immoral.

“On a local level we want Swindon Borough Council to end the PSPO and stop the criminalisation of homelessness. Arresting and fining those with no money in the first place is a waste of time, money and effort, and simply leads to criminal records for those who find life so desperate that they feel the need to beg on the streets, for the little they can get from passers by.”

Swindon TUC want the council to purchase the unused Wiltshire Hotel in Fleming Way and convert it into a centre for those who need emergency housing. They also plan to present a petition to SBC on January 26.

Coun Oliver Donachie, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, said: “I can only assume the TUC and its members were themselves asleep when we announced our consultation on proposed changes to the Town Centre PSPO.

“The consultation, which ends this Thursday (Dec 8), proposes to remove many of the activities outlined by the TUC including peddling, street trading and aggressive charity collecting, as shoppers and businesses have reported there is no longer an issue with these activities.

“A variation on the restriction around begging has also been proposed, which prohibits begging in a manner which causes, or is likely to cause, nuisance or annoyance to any member of the public or business.

“The consultation notes that officers will not issue any fixed penalty notices to individuals who are found to be genuinely homeless or in a position where they are unable to pay a fine, in line with the council’s policy.

“Help and advice from partner agencies will continue to be offered to those people in need.

“Since the PSPO was introduced in the town centre, officers from the council, Wiltshire Police and inSwindon have spoken to and offered advice to more than 2,000 individuals who were contravening the order. As every individual approached stopped their activity following the advice, no fines have been issued.

“The PSPO is in place to make the town centre an area that people want to visit.”