Campaign targets street beggars

The poster urges people not to give money to beggars

Two London councils are clamping down on beggars by advising people not to give when confronted in the street.

Camden and Westminster City Councils are putting up posters urging people not to give to street beggars as the money is often used to buy drugs.

The Killing with Kindness campaign aims to reduce the number of beggars on the street and anti-social behaviour.

Police officers and outreach workers will also be out warning beggars and offering advice about support services.

Councillor Kit Malthouse, deputy leader of Westminster City Council, said: "People need to know that the money they casually give to a beggar may buy the fix that kills them.

"In my view giving to beggars is actually a very cruel thing to do.

In most cases a street homeless person can receive benefit, so almost all those who beg on the street do so to support an addiction The Salvation Army's Major Malcolm Walters

"Westminster Council offers substantial help to people to rebuild their lives away from the streets."

The leader of Camden Council, Councillor Jane Roberts, said: "Throughout Camden we offer excellent services to help those on the streets find accommodation, support and treatment and there is no need for anyone to beg to support themselves."

The policy is supported by the Salvation Army, the international Christian charity which provides social welfare.

The organisation's Major Malcolm Walters said: "If people give money to professional beggars, then they are just feeding a black market.

"In most cases a street homeless person can receive benefit, so almost all those who beg on the street do so to support an addiction.

"There is no resettlement or progress and you are simply confirming their wasting lifestyle."

Shaks Ghosh from the homeless Charity Crisis said the only way of putting an end to begging was to ensure there are enough services to help people who live on the streets.

She said: "At Crisis we don't advocate begging but if you want to solve the problem the thing to do is to address the needs that people have.

"So whether you give to beggars or not is a bit of a diversion - the issue here is how do you really solve the problem long term."