People caught begging in Barking town centre can now be handed a £100 on-the-spot fine thanks to new powers passed by the council.
The order categorises begging alongside urinating and spitting as “anti-social behaviour,” with Cllr Laila Butt saying the council is looking to take on the “small minority who make people’s lives a misery.”
Public drinking, harassment and causing alarm or distress are also being cracked down on by the council.
The council consulted the public on the PSPO and a similar order is in place in Broad Street, Dagenham, although begging is not prohibited.
Councillor Laila Butt, cabinet member for enforcement and community safety, said: “We are committed to tackling all forms of anti-social behaviour across the borough. We want to make it clear to the small minority who make people’s lives a misery that we will not stand for it.”
The council is also consulting on a PSPO for the area around Dagenham Heathway.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here