Council threatens rough sleepers with £2,500 fine

HOMELESS people who keep their belongings in doorways have been threatened by a city council with fines of £2,500.

Rough sleepers in Oxford have found notices on their possessions warning that their conduct “is having a detrimental effect, of a persistent or continuing nature, on the quality of life of those in the locality”.

If the items are not removed, the notice warns that prosecution could follow, with a maximum fine of £2,500.

Oxford City Council argues abandoned property could block fire exits, and that lockers are available for homeless people. They added that people had the opportunity to collect their possessions for two days after they were removed.

But David Thomas, a Green Party councillor, told the BBC it was an “outrageous” policy designed to “intimidate” homeless people.

Charities warned that Oxfordshire faced a homeless “epidemic” last year after beds in shelters were cut because of local council funding cuts.

One man who sleeps rough said items which had been confiscated had been donated by the public.