BUSKING and begging will remain part of a controversial crackdown on city centre antisocial behaviour, despite concerns it will breach human rights laws.

City bosses have recommended begging and busking remain in the redrafted Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) after a heated debate on Tuesday night.

Council lawyerstold members of the city’s scrutiny committee human rights organisation Liberty is expected to ask for the two issues to be removed from the order.

Holywell ward councillor David Thomas said he echoed fears that the order as drafted would infringe on people’s rights under the European Convention of Human Rights.

Speaking before the meeting, Mr Thomas added: “It’s definitely a much better document but I am still worried it is a flawed document.

“I have very strong objections that begging and busking are on the list.

“All the evidence is that measures like this simply drive people onto the streets and into more vulnerable situations.”

PSPOs were introduced by the Home Office under the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to target antisocial behaviour by allowing local authorities to set out what activities are deemed a nuisance in certain areas.

The new draft, which is expected to go before the executive board next week, has been amended to change “persistent begging” to “aggressive begging” – defined as sitting near cash machines or making people feel intimidated or harassed.

The first draft sparked fears that buskers could be fined for not smiling enough, but under the new proposals busking will now only be banned if it is deemed a nuisance.

Committee chairman councillor Craig Simmons said the main issue is whether a PSPO is the best way of dealing with problem beggars.

He added: “ For me, the dilemma is, is it legitimate to use the threat of a fine and is it a slippery slope because we will have to hand out fines?”

Jericho and Osney councillor Susanna Pressel stressed that while the powers were vital for dealing with aggressive beggars, they would not be used indiscriminately.

She said: “If someone is always on the street and always begging then we need stronger powers to deal with them.”

She denied claims that beggars could not afford to pay fines, adding: “Some beggars are extremely rich.”

Speaking after the meeting Liberty’s legal officer Rosie Brighouse told the Oxford Mail yesterday: “We remain firmly opposed to the idea that this PSPO will be a necessary, effective or proportionate measure.”