§ Lord Pattenasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why rough sleeping and begging are permitted in the immediate vicinity of Westminster Cathedral while they are not permitted in the immediate vicinity of Westminster Abbey. [HL1504]
200WA
§ Lord Williams of MostynRough sleeping is not in itself an offence. Section 3 of the 1824 Vagrancy Act makes it an offence to beg in a public place and the threatening or intimidating behaviour sometimes associated with begging is an offence under the Public Order Act 1986. The Commissioner of the Police of the Metropolis tells me that anyone found begging in London is liable for arrest. For several reasons, the area around Westminster Cathedral is a popular area for rough sleepers, unlike the area around Westminster Abbey. The Metropolitan Police will continue to work in partnership with other agencies to deal with the problem of rough sleeping in central London.