The Petition of a resident of the UK,
Declares that the Petitioner believes that actions of individuals who are sleeping, sheltering, littering and defecating on Cato Street, London, are unacceptable and detrimental to the local businesses and residences.
The Petitioner therefore requests that the House of Commons urges the Cities of London and Westminster local authority to resolve this issue and remove those individuals from Cato Street and surrounding areas.
And the Petitioner remains, etc.—[Presented by Mark Field, Official Report, 27 June 2013; Vol. 565, c. 578.]
[P001190]
Observations from the Secretary of State for the Home Department:
The Government are aware of the harm the behaviour of some rough sleepers can have on local areas. Where an individual is engaging in criminal behaviour, then this is a matter for the police. There is legislation available to tackle offences such as littering, defecating in public, aggressive begging or street drinking. There is also a range of powers and practices available to both the police and local authorities that can disrupt and reduce antisocial behaviour, including that caused by rough sleepers. These powers are currently being streamlined by the Government via the Anti-social Behaviour and Crime Bill currently going through Parliament.
However, the Government believe local problems need local solutions, involving not just the police, but the local council and the voluntary sector. Together partners should look at how best to support individuals to move away from rough sleeping, whilst also protecting local residents and businesses affected by any associated anti-social behaviour.
The Government are also aware that some individuals involved in this behaviour are foreign nationals. Immigration enforcement teams are working with the Metropolitan Police and Westminster Council, with the aim of safeguarding children and driving down crime and antisocial behaviour (in particular begging, rough sleeping and illegal gambling). Since the beginning of this joint effort, arrests for begging in the West End have trebled.
Furthermore, immigration enforcement teams are working to remove from the UK those foreign nationals who do not have a right to be here. This includes EEA nationals who have been in the country for longer than three months and are not exercising a Treaty right (for example by working, studying or seeking work), or who are involved in criminal activity.