More people in Newcastle are being made destitute by benefit sanctions, job cuts, drug addictions or the housing crisis. They need help and support, not to be cleared off the city's streets as criminals. Should someone face arrest because they are sitting quietly with a cup asking for donations? Should a homeless person be given a fixed penalty notice if they have a sleeping bag?

That is what Newcastle City Council is proposing. It is consulting on a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which would make doing both these things anywhere within  the city a criminal offence, and allow a Council enforcement officer to hand out fixed penalty notices for such 'offences'.

Please sign this petition to object to the draft PSPO, and also complete the consultation at https://letstalknewcastle.co.uk/consultations/index/206 (before 25th November).