Police target aggressive beggars

Police want shoppers to avoid giving money to beggars

Plain-clothes officers are to be used to spot and arrest aggressive beggars said to be intimidating shoppers.

Hampshire police are to make efforts to reduce the number of such beggars on the streets of Winchester this summer.

As part of the initiative, more shoppers are to be urged to use the town's "diverted giving" scheme, which sees money go directly to charities.

Three organisations that help the homeless are to receive £1,000 each from funds already raised this year.

In the meantime, beat officers are to target known sites in the city used by beggars.

Drugs and alcohol

Sgt Steve French said: "We appreciate there is a concern for the plight of people less fortunate than ourselves, but the people we are dealing with are sitting outside convenience stores and cash-points begging for cash, usually to purchase drugs and alcohol.

"We often receive complaints from people who feel intimidated by beggars and hopefully by dealing positively with offenders we can discourage them from begging and make members of the public feel safer whilst visiting the city centre."

The diverted giving scheme, which has been operating in the city since 1998, sees collection boxes set up in various high street stores.

Shoppers can leave donations there rather than give money to beggars.

The latest three organisations to benefit from the scheme are the Salvation Army, the Night Shelter and Trinity Centre.