Five-year jail threat to ‘nuisance’ beggar
A ‘nuisance’ city centre beggar has been warned she faces up to five years in jail if she breaches a Criminal Behaviour Order.
Sunderland City Council has secured a two-year order against Erica Purvis, of Athol Road, Hendon, in a bid to address anti-social behaviour in the city centre.
Council bosses say Purvis is living in a privately rented property and has access to funds, so does not need to beg.
The council said it had receivedseveralcomplaintsfrom Northumbria Police, Sunderland BID, Nexus, and city centre visitors.
Under the terms of the order, Purvis must:
not cause any disorder in theParkLaneinterchangethis includesthebusterminalsand train station to the annoyance of Nexus staff;
not approach any member of the public to solicit money;
notloiterinanypublicplace or throughfare with any sign, item, and/or animal or hold out your hand to any person in a manner that would give another person the impression that you are begging or intend to beg.
Any breaches of the order could result in jail time.
The city council’s antisocial behaviour team said complaints had been received from members of the public and businesses also stated trade was being affected.
Deputy Leader of the city council, Councillor Claire Rowntree, said: "In cases like
this, where an individual has persisted with antisocial behaviour despite a warning and CommunityProtectionNotice, and will not engage in relevant support,wehavenoalternative but to seek legal action.
"Everyone has the right to feel safe in the city centre and should feel free to go about their business without being subjected to intimidating or threatening behaviour. Likewise, the city’s businesses should not be impacted by this."
Inspector Jamie Southwell, of Northumbria Police, added: “We are committed to ensuring our city centre is as safe as possible for everyone.”