Local councils are clamping down on people who sleep rough on their streets by imposing a hefty fine.
These people, who are already down-and-out on their luck, could face a charge via a PSPO (Public Space Protection Order).
The fines are likely to be at least £100 and has caused uproar among human rights organisations.
Last year saw an increase of 51% in rough sleepers across England.
A PSPO was introduced in 2014 with the intention of allowing councils to fine people for behaviours that wouldn't normally be considered as criminal.
An investigation by Metro has shown that more than a dozen have threatened people with these PSPOs, while four now have the power to fine people for sleeping rough.
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Jenny Hollingsbee is Shepway Council's cabinet member for communities and said they introduced the fines (£100) as sleeping on the streets was both extremely harmful and unsafe.
She said that the fines were there to challenge persistent offenders and that it had worked. In her area, rough sleeper numbers had reduced.
Teignbridge, Cherwell and Gravesham Borough are councils also known for fines rough sleepers.
It's a two-sided coin though: councils say they are tackling anti-social behaviour, but homeless charities argue it is making things tougher for already vulnerable people.
"It is unacceptable," said Rick Henderson of Homeless Link. "People who do not choose to sleep rough are being fined for their misfortune."
He continued: "People that are sleeping on our streets need to be supported, not banned or fined.
"Instead of these draconian measures we need a strategic, cross government approach to dealing with homelessness.
"We urge government to work closely with the sector to find a solution to end rough sleeping once and for all.
PSPOs were first brought into the spotlight in 2015 when Hackney council attempted to make rough sleeping a criminal offence.
Their dream didn't last long, and a petition totalling 80,000 signatures led to the withdrawal of the proposal.
Another failure was seen in Manchester city centre where a company owning the Pall Mall Court building introduced spikes on the ground to deter homeless sleepers.
However, the public came up with an ingenious method, donating cushions to the homeless to help them continue to sleep in the sheltered patch.
Credit: Manchester Evening News
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Lara ten Caten, a legal officer for Liberty, said many councils are trying to avoid controversy by their wording.
"PSPOs are incapable of alleviating hardship and addressing complex social problems. As homelessness rises, councils should be offering help and support - not hitting the most vulnerable in society with fines they can't possible afford."
It appears that homeless is continuing to be a growing problem for councils in Britain, with limited funds available to help the struggling and in need, but there is the argument more could be done to help the rough sleepers.
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