Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 02:46pm on 11 Jun 2025,Wednesday International
Rough sleeping will no longer be a criminal offence in England and Wales as the government moves to scrap the 1824 Vagrancy Act. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner called the law "cruel and outdated" and pledged to end nearly two centuries of injustice. New legislation will focus on crimes like organised begging and criminal trespass, ensuring police can still protect communities. Homeless charities, including Crisis, hailed the move as a “landmark moment” for vulnerable individuals. The act had seen prosecutions decline from 1,050 in 2011 to 79 in 2023. Amendments will be made through the Crime and Policing Bill in 2026. (PC: X)
