Soup runs and rough sleeping could be banned on Westminster Cathedral Piazza and the surrounding area, council chiefs have announced.

In a move backed by homeless charities, Westminster Council is seeking to pass a bye-law that would prohibit soup runs from operating in a designated area including the piazza itself and around Westminster Cathedral.

This measure is being taken in a particular area which suffers disproportionately from the negative impact of soup runs. This is the first time that a bye-law has been sought to deal with this issue.

Westminster believes that food handouts only serve to keep people on the streets longer, damaging their health and life chances.

For many years, the piazza and surrounding area has been the destination for soup run organisations, a number of which travel into the city from across the capital and even outside of London.

Up to 100 people at time can congregate on or around the piazza while food is being given out turning it into a no-go area for many residents and businesses with issues around litter, urination, violence and disorder.

The council is now launching a consultation with residents, businesses, local day centres and hostels and the voluntary sector on its proposals to ban soup runs and rough sleepers in this location.

Depending on the results, it will then to seek provisional permission from the Department for Communities and Local Government to pass a byelaw before taking it to a meeting of the full council in the summer.

If approved, the byelaw could be in place by October. Vulnerable individuals will not be enforced against, and all individuals will be asked to leave the area before being subjected to any enforcement.

Cllr Daniel Astaire, Westminster Council's cabinet member for society, families and adult services, said: "Soup runs have no place in the 21st century and it is wrong and undignified that people are being fed on the streets. Handing out free food only serves to keep people on the streets for longer, damaging their health.

"Efforts by local organisations responding to the needs of the most vulnerable within their own community is to be applauded. However, soup runs on the streets in Westminster actually encourages people to sleep rough in Central London, with all the dangers that entails.

"Our priority must be to get people off the streets altogether. There is no need for anyone to sleep rough in Westminster as we have a range of services that can help them off the streets to make the first steps towards getting their lives back on track.”

Homeless charities have backed the council’s proposals.

Jeremy Swain, Thames Reach Chief Executive, said: “Services to the homeless should be offered in a warm and safe environment and go well beyond simply the provision of food, but encompass help with housing, health and reconnection to family and friends.

“Street handouts do little to help people make the step away from rough sleeping. Instead they frequently prevent people from facing up to the reality of the harmful life-style they have adopted.

"The Westminster cathedral piazza and surrounding area has been the focus for soup run activity and rough sleeping for many years and this has inevitably had a detrimental impact on the lives of people living and working in the immediate vicinity.

“It is reasonable that the council should seek to introduce a bye-law covering this specific area whilst at the same time continuing to commit resources towards ending rough sleeping in the borough."

Charles Fraser, St Mungo’s Chief Executive, said: “While we recognize the compassion involved in providing food to vulnerable people, those in distress and rough sleeping need services that will support them off the streets for good and give them the opportunity for longer term better housing, health and work as they move on with their lives.”

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