Reply to Cllr. Blundell on 'aggressive begging':

 “There is only one way to solve this issue…crack down. Fine aggressive beggars and arrest them.”
Councillor John Blundell in the MANCHESTER GAZETTE

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'I have yet to see or hear a rational definition of the term "aggressive begging".  I do not believe that fining people who often have mental health and addiction issues is the way to progress with the issues of those impacted by rough sleeping and homelessness .  In Rochdale, they have issued fines to three people.  This measure is ineffective and inhumane, proposed and supported by people with little empathy and no real understanding of the problems they so glibly talk about.  There needs to be money made available to support people who wish to escape what are often fraught and dangerous circumstances.  People who wish to bring a PSPO into force in Manchester city centre should reflect on their reasons for doing so, because I believe it stems from contempt and disgust, which in my view makes them unfit for public life.'

- Spokesperson from Rochdale Campaign against PSPO (PUBLIC SPACES PROTECTION ORDERs)

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