Viewers blast police after treatment of ‘homeless’ man on TV show
‘IT’S A DISGRACE HOW THEY ARE SPOKEN TO’
VIEWERS of Channel 4 documentary 60 Days On The Streets have condemned Greater Manchester Police for the ‘disgraceful’ treatment of homeless people.
The first episode, which aired on Thursday night, showed the devastating scale of homelessness and the stories behind those sleeping rough.
The two-part series documents survivalist Ed Stafford sleeping rough for two months in Manchester, London and Glasgow with no money, food or shelter.
In the show he sets out to understand Britain’s homelessness crisis, and what life is really like for those living on the streets.
Thursday’s episode, filmed in December last year, shows Stafford getting to know various rough-sleepers around Piccadilly Gardens and documented the city’s devastating Spice epidemic.
The programme also tells the heartbreaking story of Deana, a former Coronation Street extra and Debenhams model, who now sleeps rough outside the store.
But it seems many viewers were left most shocked by the ‘treatment’ afforded by those living on the streets by officers from GMP.
One moment in the episode showed Stafford sitting in the street when he was warned by two officers he could be arrested, after a member of the public gave him some hot food.
The male officer can be heard saying, “I’m not sure if I know you or not – my job in the city centre is begging.”
Stafford replies, saying, “I’m not begging.”
The officer then says, “But you are. You don’t have to talk to people or have a card or a cup.
“Basically if I walk along and I see you placed to beg, I think you’re there to receive money or food – you’re begging.
“You’re committing an offence. This is your last warning.”
Viewers took to Twitter to air their outrage at the treatment, which some branded as a ‘disgrace.’
One Twitter user said: “Watching #60daysonthestreets, it’s a disgrace how the Greater Manchester Police speak to these homeless people. “Really disgusting – what do they expect them to do?” Another wrote: “This 60 Days On The Streets programme is brutal, police targeting homeless people and threatening to arrest them for begging, street cleaners spraying water over sleeping bags; it’s an absolute disgrace that some people are homeless. Another added: “Wow, the lack of compassion shown by the police officers featured on 60daysonthestreets is appalling. “When will we realise that homelessness is a real issue and no matter how much you try to shift it on, it isn’t going away.”
While it is not illegal to sit on the streets, police rely on the 1824 Vagrancy Act, which allows them to prosecute anyone asking the public for money on the streets.
In February, Manchester city council asked the public whether they would support using a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to combat a range of problems including ‘aggressive or intimidating begging’ and ‘using a tent in a manner likely to create a health and safety risk.’
Anyone asked to move from a building’s entrance or exit, a stairwell, a highway or any place where they are blocking a street cleaner would also be fined if they refused to go.
If agreed, the order would allow the council to hit people with on-the-spot fines of £100, rising to £1,000 in court if unpaid.
Greater Manchester Police have been approached for a comment.