Southampton City Council has decided to remove its £100 fines for begging after finding the penalty had ‘little effect’.
The council introduced Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) into five areas across the city in 2016.
To date, 32 fixed penalties were issued but only one has been paid.
‘A decision was made at a full council meeting last night, 16 April 2019, for Southampton City Council to remove the £100 fines for begging after finding the penalties had little effect,’ a council spokesperson said.
‘Few of these fixed penalties were paid and they did little to change the behaviour of these individuals.
‘A review of the approach to enforcement available to tackle begging was undertaken and other interventions were found to have a greater deterrent effect.’
