We have many beggars on our High Streets, often causing disturbances or intimidating residents and visitors and adversely affecting traders. Some retailers have contacted me in great distress. Many residents do not understand why this situation continues. We have helped considerable numbers on the streets, but in every individual case I have enquired about recently, with Council officers or the police, those still begging or camping have declined or abused accommodation or support, choosing instead to stay on our streets and often living in tents in our public areas. We are, it seems, powerless to move them since they remain technically homeless.
Furthermore, our streets are littered with blankets and items left for the purpose of marking the begging spot, under the direction of handlers; some we believe are linked to county lines. Professionals in commissioned services, our officers, and managers at the DWP tell me that increasing voluntary support – i.e. handing out food, drinks, clothing, bedding, tents, hygiene products and other comforts is a contributory factor attracting more people to come to Medway.
How can we manage this support better and what further actions are planned to help those in genuine need, whilst protecting citizens from those who decline all help?
Minutes:
“We have many beggars on our High Streets, often causing disturbances or intimidating residents and visitors and adversely affecting traders. Some retailers have contacted me in great distress. Many residents do not understand why this situation continues. We have helped considerable numbers on the streets, but in every individual case I have enquired about recently, with Council officers or the police, those still begging or camping have declined or abused accommodation or support, choosing instead to stay on our streets and often living in tents in our public areas. We are, it seems, powerless to move them since they remain technically homeless.
Furthermore, our streets are littered with blankets and items left for the purpose of marking the begging spot, under the direction of handlers; some we believe are linked to county lines. Professionals in commissioned services, our officers, and managers at the DWP tell me that increasing voluntary support – i.e. handing out food, drinks, clothing, bedding, tents, hygiene products and other comforts is a contributory factor attracting more people to come to Medway.
How can we manage this support better and what further actions are planned to help those in genuine need, whilst protecting citizens from those who decline all help?”
Councillor Gulvin thanked Councillor Tranter for his question. He acknowledged how hard Councillor Tranter had worked to represent the views of both residents and traders in his ward on these issues. Councillor Gulvin stated that the Council’s Housing Team had continued to work with rough sleepers in order to move them into suitable accommodation. As of Monday this week the team had housed 95 people off the streets of Medway.
He stated that many rough sleepers had complex needs involving drug and alcohol addiction, often combined with mental health issues as well. Through ongoing outreach and working across partner agencies the Council would continue to provide wrap around support packages tailored to the needs of each individual.
He stated that the Community Safety Team had been working with Kent Police in identifying those involved in aggressive begging and anti-social behaviour. Where appropriate, action was being taken under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 legislation.
He also stated that the Community Safety Team would have two additional years resource of a Community Safety Officer dedicated to Chatham City Centre, using S106 funding allocated specifically to Chatham as a result of the impact of Bluewater’s expansion.
He referred to passive begging, which was where someone would just sit with a cup in front of them, was far more difficult to deal with under current powers. However, the Council was actively investigating if it would be possible to use public place protection orders to deal with the issue even though that legal opinion was divided on this issue.
With reference to the issue of discarded bedding, he stated that it was not legally possible to just collect up these items and dispose of them. As such, the Council was seeking to work with suitable charitable groups who would be willing to hold on to such items for a time in order that they could be reclaimed before disposal.
He concluded by stating that a Member briefing on community safety would be held on 14 November and that he would like to see all Members there as this would provide an opportunity to get a much deeper understanding of these issues.