Stop Criminalising Rough Sleepers!

Last Friday morning campaigners against homelessness protested outside Liverpool Town Hall. A recent study by CRISIS, the national charity for homeless people, highlighted the role of Local Authorities in taking enforcement measures against rough sleepers. It revealed that Liverpool City Council takes more legal measures against rough sleepers than any other council outside of London. Liverpool City Council use most of the enforcement measures outlined in the survey of the 52 councils who responded to the CRISIS research. Rough sleepers are being criminalised in Liverpool and have been described as “professional beggars” by the Mayor. The council recently agreed massive cuts to services including services for homelessness, mental health and substance abuse. The campaigners regularly provide breakfast for rough sleepers in the City with food donated by members of the public. Criminalisation cannot take the place of adequate support services.

Resisting homelessness outside Liverpool Town Hall, 2017.

Breakfast for the homeless outside Liverpool Town Hall, 2017.

Rough sleepers are criminalised in Merseyside. Outside Liverpool Town Hall, 2017.

An imaginary home for the homeless outside Liverpool Town Hall, 2017.

Preparing breakfast with food donated by members of the public. Outside Liverpool Town Hall, 2017.

Not worthless outside Liverpool Town Hall, 2017.

Breakfast is served outside Liverpool Town Hall, 2017.

Campaigning outside Liverpool Town Hall, 2017.

Campaigner outside Liverpool Town Hall, 2017.

A message outside Liverpool Town Hall, 2017.

The scandal of homelessness is ignored by the mainstream media. Liverpool 2017.

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