Westminster Council have decided to continue with the process of preparing a by-law to criminalise rough sleeping and the distribution of food to homeless people in the Victoria area, Housing Justice, a charity that convenes the London Soup Run Forum learnt today.

Westminster Council closed a month long consultation on the by-law on Friday the 25th of March, after receiving over 500 responses and petitions.

The controversial by-law has been opposed by a diverse range of voices including the Methodist Church, Liberty, The Passage Day Centre in Victoria, the British Medical Association, Churches Together in Westminster and Church Action on Poverty.

Campaigners have staged two mass ‘lie down’ protests in Victoria, and hundreds gathered on the 20th of March for a street party against the by-law.

Alison Gelder, director of Housing Justice said today

We are deeply disappointed to learn that Westminster Council will continue with this draconian law which will criminalise compassion and conflict with the good work being done by the Greater London Authority and voluntary groups to end rough sleeping

Jad Adams, from Croydon homeless charity Nightwatch says that if the by-law comes into force

I would consider it a civic duty to defy an unjust law and encourage others to do the same

Meanwhile, members of the London Soup Run Forum are preparing a new code of conduct with which they plan to self – regulate their activities in the face of criticism from Westminster Council.

The proposed by-law will fine people in the Victoria area if they “lie down or sleep in any public place”, “deposit bedding” and distribute free food and drink.

This byelaw will affect the 1,600 people it is estimated sleep rough in Westminster each year, many of whom bed down in the Victoria area.

Many voluntary groups, ‘soup runs’, hand out food in the Victoria area, especially at Howick Place behind the House of Fraser. These groups will be facing the possibility of moving or being fined for their charity if the ban goes ahead.

Reader comments

1. Liberal Conspiracy

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2. steve conway

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5. don't ask don't tell

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6. Ian 'Cat' Vincent

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7. CHRIS WALTON

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8. dodgyhoodoo

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9. Tom Williams

   http://liberalconspiracy.org/2011/04/07/as-westminster-proceeds-with-homeless-ban-charity-calls-on-civic-defiance/

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15. James Iain McKay

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16. James Iain McKay

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