Petition · past parliament

Abolish the Vagrancy Act 1824 which makes it a crime to be homeless

Closed 3,783 signatures

What the petition asks

People that become homeless are being treated like criminals in this country under the vagrancy act... This needs to STOP as the homeless need help... Not a criminal record, fine, city ban or a prison sentance.
I go out with a team giving various homeless people supplies of whatever they need including soup, butties, crisps, sleeping bags etc... And when I talk to them they are scared of the police... They are going through enough hardship as it is without councils and police making their life worse.

Timeline

14 Jan 2016 Petition opened for signatures
14 Jul 2016 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 3,783
Status Closed
Opened 14 Jan 2016
Closed 14 Jul 2016

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.