A 200-year-old law might soon be history – but it could still catch you out for simply asking a fellow motorist for change in a car park. The Vagrancy Act 1824 has become controversial in recent years, with critics claiming it criminalises the homeless.
So much so that it was repealed earlier last month in the House of Commons. But the wheels of the legislature often move slowly, and many fear it will reach its 200th anniversary in 2024 before the final action is completed.
Which means that motorists who find themselves short of change or with the incorrect coins in car parks should beware. That’s because under Section 4 of the Vagrancy Act, this is classed as begging – and could earn you up to a month in “the house of correction”, but more likely a £1,000 fine these days.
