• THE bicentenary of the Vagrancy Act falls on June 21.

Though repealed in February 2022, the act is still technically in force.

The Tories’ Criminal Justice Bill 2023-24 proposes measures which are not so different.

They have claimed to be against criminalising anyone for being destitute, sleeping rough or “simply having nowhere to live” (Home Office Policy Paper February 23 2024).

Yet people sleeping in a doorway, creating “excessive smell” or apparently intending to sleep on the streets can be deemed a “public nuisance” and asked to “move on”.

This just looks like a “hostile environment” for such people.

In the world’s sixth richest country, no one should have to sit, lie or sleep on the pavement, in a doorway, alleyway or tube station entrance, or beg outside a supermarket, by a cash point or along a street.

Homelessness is most certainly not “a lifestyle choice”.

That bill is one of nine to have fallen, with no time for further proceedings before the July 4 general election.

Rough sleeping and begging are challenging issues. They call for “joined-up thinking”.

A new government will ideally have a golden opportunity to tackle them with constructive and humane policies.

The authorities’ treatment of rough sleepers in Camden (‘Hostile environment’ claim as council moves bike racks and planters into space used by rough sleepers, June 6) must improve urgently.

As a supporter of homelessness charities, I am very worried about the numbers of people on the streets.

Many can be seen all over Camden’s two parliamentary constituencies.

I often find myself having to walk past them on my own and feel bad about it.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED, NW6