Norfolk housing trust says more funding and attention is needed to prevent rough sleeping
The Government's been urged to scrap certain scrap measures in the Criminal Justice Bill
A housing trust in Norfolk is telling us more funding and attention is needed to prevent rough sleeping, at the source.
It's as more than 30 charities have written to the Government, calling on them scrap measures in the Criminal Justice Bill which they say could see vulnerable women fined for seeking shelter.
"Often people don't have a choice"
Dr Jan Sheldon is the chief executive of St Martin's, based in Norwich:
"We need to support people who are really struggling.
"We know that we are living through a cost of living crisis and that means many have to choose between whether you put food onto the table or pay their rent/mortgage."
She told us what these proposed changes could mean for those on the streets: "If somebody is smelling excessively or looking like they might be wanting to settle down they can be fined by the police.
"It's ridiculous and unhelpful to criminalise rough-sleeping behaviour as often people don't have a choice."
"Going to put an added pressure on people"
She continued: "We know that people sleeping on the streets are 17 times more likely to suffer violence or abuse than you or I. Those on the streets tell us that they feel invisible, people walk past and don't acknowledge them. It's just not a pleasant place to be.
"I think this is all going to put an added pressure on people when they are really suffering and have nowhere to go.
"They are then going to be in that position, while having a fine or arrest hanging over them as well. Criminalising it won't help, but preventative measures will."
What's the Government said?
A Government spokesperson said:
" The Criminal Justice Bill includes a package of measures to improve lives and quality of life by tackling nuisance begging and rough sleeping where it causes damage, disruption, harassment or distress to the public, while avoiding criminalising the genuinely vulnerable.
"This includes creation of a new offence to tackle organised begging; move on powers for those engaged in nuisance begging and rough sleeping; and the creation of new civil notices and orders to prevent nuisance begging and rough sleeping."