Homeless people who ask for money could be fined £100 by a council

Homeless people who beg for money or food could be fined £100 under controversial new rules implemented by a council.

A petition has been launched after it emerged that people living on the streets of South Tyneside could be hit with draconian penalties under a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

However, the council has hit back claiming the fines are only in place for “professional beggars” and not those in genuine need.

The petition reads: “Homeless people can be fined £100 for accepting food from kind-hearted strangers, they can be fined simply for sitting down.

“This demonises people who are often unwell, maybe have mental health issues or have just fallen on hard times. This is no way to treat the most vulnerable in our town.”

The council said: “These orders are in no way aimed at people in genuine hardship.

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“Let me be clear, we never have and never will issue a fine to a genuinely homeless person for accepting donations from kind-hearted people.

“The Public Spaces Protection Orders are aimed at protecting the public. They can only be introduced where there has been evidence of street drinking and professional beggars targeting specific areas.”

It is unclear how they intend to distinguish between “professional beggars” and rough sleepers.

PSPOs have been implemented in other areas, including Southampton, and, according to the BBC, used against rough sleepers.

Jamie Royall, who is homeless and has been fined, told the broadcaster: “It’s ridiculous, it’s like trying to get blood out of a stone.”

The council said it had handed out 12 £100 fines — but none had been paid so far.