Dozens of people have been prosecuted in Norfolk for begging over the past five years as new legislation proposes a clampdown on rough sleepers.
New figures from the Ministry of Justice show there were 58 prosecutions for begging in the county - with a further 25 arrests - under the Vagrancy Act in the five years to June 2023.
It comes as the government faces criticism over parts of the Criminal Justice Bill, which will replace the Georgian-era act with a new bill that could allow police to fine "nuisance" street sleepers.
However it has faced a backbench rebellion with critics arguing the proposed legislation is drafted so widely it could result in people being arrested or fined for having an “excessive odour”, or merely appearing as though they intend to sleep rough.
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Homeless charity Crisis said people living on the streets needed more social homes and support rather than being cast into the criminal justice system.
Chief executive Matt Downie said: "Not only are people forced to live in fear, suffering regular violence and abuse, but they must also contend with the threat of being arrested. No-one should be criminalised for being homeless.”
Under the existing 1824 law anyone prosecuted faces a fine of up to £1,000 and a criminal record. Although prosecutions are relatively rare, people are still brought before Norfolk’s courts.
Last month a 59-year-old man faced two charges of begging in Norwich’s St Stephens Street while a 24-year-old woman appeared for breaching a community protection order by begging at St Nicholas Retail Park in King’s Lynn.
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A series of amendments to the proposed new legislation says police should be given guidance that “begging or sleeping rough does not in itself amount to unreasonable conduct”, and insist officers “should balance protection of the community with sensitivity to the problems that cause people to engage in begging or sleeping rough”.
A government spokesman said the legislation was "focused on supporting people to get off the streets" while allowing local authorities and the police to "address behaviour that can make the public feel unsafe".
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