Responding to the repeal of the Vagrancy Act, which criminalised rough sleeping in England and Wales, Crisis Chief Executive Matt Downie said:

“This is a watershed moment which marks the end of a deeply cruel policy of criminalising people because they are homeless.   

“For more than 200 years, the Vagrancy Act has punished people who have been forced to sleep on the streets. This has pushed people in already vulnerable situations away from support services and into the shadows for fear of being penalised. Now, after decades of charities campaigning alongside politicians, law enforcement and people with lived experience of homelessness, we can come together to celebrate the end of this archaic law.  

“We commend the UK Government for standing up for what’s right and getting rid of a great injustice. We hope this sends a powerful message about the kind of society we want: one where people experiencing homelessness are not persecuted, but supported to rebuild their lives and fulfil their potential.” 

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