Consultation on Repeal of the Vagrancy Act 1824 and the Vagrancy (IRELAND) Act 1847

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Consultation opened on 20 November 2024. Closing date 21 January 2025 at 23:59.

Summary

The Department of Justice is seeking views on its plans to decriminalise rough sleeping and begging by repealing the relevant provisions of the Vagrancy Act 1824 and the Vagrancy (Ireland) Act 1847 and whether respondents consider that this will leave significant gaps in the criminal law, taking into account the range of other offences available to deal with public order, disorderly behaviour and harassment in public places.

Documents

Vagrancy consultation
PDF (376 KB)
Vagrancy consultation: Response form
Word (73 KB)

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Consultation description

Responses to the consultation can be made via this link or emailed to DOJCPU@justice-ni.gov.uk or you can write to us at: Criminal Policy Unit, Criminal Justice Policy and Legislation Division, Department of Justice, Massey House, Stormont Estate, Belfast BT4 3SX.

The consultation will run for a period of 9 weeks from 20 November 2024. Responses should be submitted by midnight on 21 January 2025. 

If you have any comments about the way this consultation process has been handled, you should send them to: Governance.Unit@justice-ni.gov.uk

Ways to respond

Email -
DOJCPU@justice-ni.gov.uk
Write to -
Criminal Policy Unit,
Criminal Justice Policy and Legislation Division,
Department of Justice,
Massey House,
Stormont Estate,
Belfast BT4 3SX

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