It was on 17 June 2019 that Sölvesborg became the third municipality in the country to vote in favor of a ban on begging, after Vellinge and Katrineholm.

Behind the decision were SD, M, KD and the local party SoL, while the opposition voted against a ban.

Desired effect

It has now been almost two years since the ban was introduced and Louise Erixon (SD), chair of the municipal board, believes that it has had the desired effect.

- The purpose was to get rid of begging from our streets, so we have met the goal.

Then I would have really wished that this was something you took responsibility for at the national level all over the country, she says.

Opposition councilor Johanna Beijer (S) believes that begging has never been a problem in Sölvesborg and that a ban is not the best solution.

- Forbidding people to seek help is not the right way in the long run, she says.

Only two interventions - in the whole country

According to the police, the beggars disappeared from Sölvesborg in connection with the introduction of the ban, and no intervention has been necessary.

Today, 14 municipalities in the country have various forms of local begging bans.

But only on three occasions has there been a fine, all cases in Eskilstuna.