Begging by cash machines, shop doorways and transport stops would breach Swansea‘s new street rules. But sitting on the street, and sleeping rough, will stay legal.
The rewritten condition sits in the new Public Spaces Protection Order unveiled last week, alongside its £75 fines for dangerous e-bike riding.
The Order goes before Swansea Council‘s Cabinet on Wednesday (16 September), replacing the city centre rules in force since December 2021.
Out goes the old ban on “aggressive and intimidating begging”. In comes a condition on “soliciting for money or goods”, defined as requesting, signalling or otherwise seeking money or goods from the public, whether verbally or not.
The test is the manner. Soliciting only breaches the Order when done in a way that causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress.
The Order then spells out what may cross the line: repeatedly approaching people, pressing the same person again and again, or following someone after they have refused.
Also on the list: stationing close to a cash machine, bank, shop entrance or transport hub and soliciting in a way likely to cause alarm, or carrying on after being told to stop.
Then comes the carve-out, in the Order’s own words: “This condition does not prohibit passive presence within the Restricted Area, nor does it prohibit rough sleeping in itself.”
The council says the rewrite introduces “objective and observable behavioural tests whilst maintaining a safeguarding-led approach towards vulnerable individuals”.
Charities’ warnings shaped the scheme, council says
Homelessness charities Crisis and Shelter made representations during the review, raising the use of PSPOs nationally and their potential impact on vulnerable people.
The council says those views informed “the continued emphasis within the proposed scheme on safeguarding, engagement, support and proportionality”.
The numbers show why begging sits at the heart of the scheme: begging and alcohol incidents made up the biggest share of more than 1,100 interventions under the old Order, and over 80 people were referred into support and safeguarding services.
Enforcement is meant to climb a ladder, with engagement and support first and fines as the backstop: a £75 fixed penalty cut to £50 if paid within seven days, and prosecution with fines of up to £1,000 for those who do not pay. Community Protection Warnings and Notices could be added later as a further step, subject to separate approvals.
A “reasonable excuse” list protects anyone in the area for medical, legal or support appointments, essential services, education or work.
Cabinet decides on Wednesday. If approved, the new Order runs for three years, with the city centre rangers continuing to lead enforcement.
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