After more than 200 years, is time up for the Vagrancy Act?
Presenter Ben Twomey is joined by Rosie Perkins, Campaigns Manager at Crisis, for a slice of history that is still relevant today. Rosie walks us through how the Vagrancy Act originally came about to criminalise “rogues and vagabonds”, but has continued to this day to criminalise rough sleeping. Hear insights on how the law is changing, why it has taken so long, and whether the police will need other enforcement tools if and when the Act is finally scrapped.
Looking for further reading? Check out this explainer from Crisis earlier in the year on why the Vagrancy Act is still around despite parliament voting to abolish it in 2022:
Takeaways
- The Vagrancy Act of 1824 criminalizes homelessness and begging.
- Criminalization does not help people leave homelessness behind.
- The Act reflects outdated views on poverty and homelessness.
- The threat of enforcement can traumatize vulnerable individuals.
- There are existing laws that can address antisocial behavior without criminalizing homelessness.
- Repealing the Vagrancy Act has broad support across various sectors.
- The government has yet to set a commencement date for the repeal.
- Guidance for police on existing powers is necessary.
- Community support and multi-agency approaches are essential for addressing homelessness.
- There is hope for the repeal of the Vagrancy Act in upcoming legislation.
Sound Bites
- “Homelessness in itself is not a crime.”
- “We need guidance to clarify existing powers.”
- “It’s just a matter of picking a date.”
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Vagrancy Act and Its Context
03:03 The Impact of the Vagrancy Act on Homelessness
06:11 Current Status and Future of the Vagrancy Act
08:56 Engagement with Law Enforcement and Community Solutions
12:01 Conclusion and Call to Action
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