A HUMAN rights group has slammed a council crackdown on high street begging as “unlawful and unreasonable”.

Liberty sent a six-page letter to Southend Council at the end of a consultation which has asked for views on a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which could see homeless people hit with fines of up to £1,000 if they're caught begging.

A draft of the PSPO proposes a ban on people sleeping in public spaces if they are “causing an obstruction” or having a “detrimental impact” on others.

It would also ban people from erecting tents, using drugs, spitting, littering, urinating and defecating in the street.

The letter, signed by Liberty solicitor Rosie Brighouse, criticises the authority for failing to present any evidence that shows these measures are needed and notes that other councils that have proposed a PSPO have provided extensive data such as witness statements, police reports and surveys.

It states: “If the council goes ahead with making this PSPO without sufficient evidence then it will be unlawful and vulnerable to challenge in the High Court.”

Ms Brighouse goes on to say the language is “excessively broad”, giving enforcement officers the power to target people sleeping rough who have no intention of being involved in anti-social behaviour.

She adds: “If the council does not intend to target all rough sleepers by this provision, it should say so in the PSPO and include a specific and detailed description of how these provisions are to be interpreted.”

Furthermore, she warns that due to the links between homelessness and poor physical health the PSPO could “unlawfully discriminate against disabled people”.

The letter concludes that while the plans are in the early stage the PSPO that has been proposed is “potentially unlawful and unreasonable” and is more likely to create “only more poverty and deprivation”.

Councillor Mark Flewitt, cabinet member for public protection, said: “We did receive a letter from Liberty and it has been included in the responses for our consultation on a PSPO.

“The consultation only ended on March 11 so we are still analysing the feedback in order for a report to be compiled and presented to cabinet.

"When the consultation was launched in January there was an explanation as to why we felt the need for a PSPO and any draft order will comply with current Government legislation and be worded appropriately, before following our democratic processes.”

The council did not respond to questions about if they have completed an assessment on the impact an order would have on the borough and if so, why it has not been made public.