'Aggressive' beggars to face £100 fines

A Public Spaces Prevention Order in Wakefield city centre has been extended for three years

People begging in an "agressive or intimidating" manner in Wakefield city centre could face a £100 fine.

The area has been subject to a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) since 2017 to target drinking and drug use causing a nuisance to shoppers, residents and businesses.

Proposals to extend the order by three years were approved by senior councillors at a meeting of Wakefield Council's cabinet.

It permits £100 on-the-spot fines to be issued to anyone begging "in a manner which is aggressive or intimidating" or is "likely to cause someone to feel harassed, alarmed or distressed".

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Wakefield Council issued 164 fixed penalty notices for nuisance and anti-social behaviour in the four PSPO areas across the district in 2024-25.

A new task force was launched this year, aimed at cutting anti-social behaviour and crime in the city centre.

The new order prohibits begging within 10m (32ft) of a cash or payment machine and restricts sitting or lying in the doorway of a business premises.

It also states: "Persons shall not erect tents or other temporary structures in any public place within the restricted area without the permission of the land owner."

Councillor Jack Hemmingway, deputy leader of the council, told the meeting: "I have spoken to business leaders who are absolutely desperate for anti-social behaviour to be tackled in the city centre.

"We know it's been a priority for the council and the police and things are getting better."

The new order will also empower officers to take action against the anti-social use of electric bikes and scooters.

"I really welcome the steps about e-bikes and e-scooters because that is a growing menace," Hemmingway added.

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