Revanchist sanitisation or coercive care? The use of enforcement to combat begging, street drinking and rough sleeping in England

S Johnsen, S Fitzpatrick

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

119 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper examines recent responses to ‘problematic street culture’ in England, where increasing pressure has been exerted to prevent people from begging and street drinking in public spaces, with rough sleeping also targeted in some areas. Drawing upon in-depth interviews with enforcement agents, support providers and targeted individuals, it assesses the extent to which the strategies employed are indicative of a ‘revanchist expulsion’ of the deviant Other and/or an expression of ‘coercive care’ for the vulnerable Other. It concludes that, whilst the recent developments appear, at first glance, to be symptomatic of revanchist sanitisation of public space, closer examination reveals that the situation is actually much more complex than a revanchist reading of the situation might suggest, and perhaps not as devoid of compassion.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1703-1723
Number of pages21
JournalUrban Studies
Volume47
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010

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