MORE than 600 people have signed a petition to scrap any plans to fine those sleeping rough in Chelmsford up to £100.

Chelmsford Council has launched a consultation on whether to impose the Government’s new Public Spaces Protection Order in the city centre.

A final decision will be made in the New Year.Apetition, set up last week, against the proposals has already collected more than 600 names. It was set up by David McIlwaine and is petitioning Keith Nicholson, director of public spaces at the council.

It states: “The insanity of imposing a financial penalty on someone for carrying out the activity they need to do in order to obtain the bare essential to live is plain to see.

Fining someone because they did not have a place to sleep and had to use the streets is nonsensical.”

If given the go-ahead, those on the receiving end of a fine could also be liable to face prosecution in court.

A council report states anti-social behaviour arising from begging and rough sleeping is a recurring problem in the city centre.

Signatories to the petition have come from as far as New Zealand and the USA. Nicola Perry, from Chelmsford, signed the petition. She said: “I’m signing because this fine makes no sense – further penalising and potentially criminalising a section of society who have so little that they’re forced on to the street.”

Joanne Pegley, also from Chelmsford, said: “How on earth will homeless people be able to payafine?

Isn’t the whole reason why they are on the streets in the first place because they have no money?”