Petition · past parliament
Repeal the 1824 Vagrancy Act and decriminalise rough sleeping
Closed
160 signatures
What the petition asks
The 1824 Vagrancy Act makes it a crime to sleep rough or beg. In February 2021, Robert Jenrick MP said he believed the act should be "consigned to history."
However, since then we have not had any updates. The act needs to be scrapped immediately and rough sleeping and begging must be legalised.
However, since then we have not had any updates. The act needs to be scrapped immediately and rough sleeping and begging must be legalised.
Since 1824, the Vagrancy Act has made it a crime to sleep rough or beg. Scotland and Ireland have already repealed this outdated law, but it remains in force in England and Wales.
Thousands of people are still arrested under the act every year, and are charged extortionate fines that they are unable to pay. We have been calling for the act to be repealed for years, along with various homelessness charities. The act must go now.
Thousands of people are still arrested under the act every year, and are charged extortionate fines that they are unable to pay. We have been calling for the act to be repealed for years, along with various homelessness charities. The act must go now.
Timeline
| 25 May 2021 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 25 Nov 2021 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
160
Status
Closed
Opened
25 May 2021
Closed
25 Nov 2021
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.