Stop to criminalising rough sleeping is a 'strong start' in altering stigmas on the issue says Worcester charity
The Government has confirmed it will repeal the 'outdated' Vagrancy Act 1824 by spring next year, to ensure rough sleeping is no longer a criminal offence
A Worcester charity supporting those who are homeless says stopping the criminalisation of rough sleeping is a step in the right direction.
Government announced earlier this week it would be scrapping the 200-year-old Vagrancy Act 1824, which made rough sleeping a crime by spring next year, along with increased financial support for the homeless.
The number of people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2024 in England was 4,667, rising for the third year in a row and increasing 20% since 2023.
In Worcester the figure increased from 20 in 2023, to 24 last year, with Herefordshire also seeing a rise from 14 to 27.
"This change alone won’t end the stigma surrounding those who are homeless, but it is a very strong start in the right direction"
Melissa Blewitt from Maggs Day Centre says the announcement is good news and a welcome one to help give further support to those who need it.
"By removing this we are recognising homelessness is a social and health issue, not a criminal one," she said.
"Decriminalising rough sleeping helps shift public perception away from the blame and towards compassion, the reality is no one ends up on the streets without a story.
"It’s been a long time coming and this change alone won’t end the stigma surrounding those who are homeless, but it is a very strong start in the right direction."
Extra support
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) says it has boosted funding for homelessness services by an extra £233 million this financial year, bringing total investment for 2025-26 to nearly £1 billion.
On the decision to remove the act, the deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: “We are drawing a line under nearly two centuries of injustice towards some of the most vulnerable in society, who deserve dignity and support.
“No one should ever be criminalised simply for sleeping rough and by scrapping this cruel and outdated law, we are making sure that can never happen again.”
The Minister for homelessness Rushanara Ali added: “Scrapping the Vagrancy Act for good is another step forward in our mission to tackle homelessness in all its forms, by focusing our efforts on its root causes.”
Government say new legislation will target real crimes instead such as organised begging by gangs and trespassing—protecting communities without penalising vulnerable people.