More power for Police dealing with beggars

[M. Preece]

Police want better powers to deal with beggars in Welsh city centre.

A public consultation has been launched on measures to tackle anti-social behaviour in Newport which could see a blanket ban on begging in its city centre. 

The city’s council is looking to update its Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which was put in place in 2015 to prevent individuals and groups from committing anti-social behaviour in the city centre.

The order sought to prohibit street drinking, touting for services and donations, aggressive begging, fly-posting and dogs not being kept on a lead. A breach of the order could result in a fine of up to £1,000.

But now Newport council is considering a blanket ban on begging in the city centre after Gwent Police said the wording of the current order had proved “ineffective”. 

Speaking at Newport council’s overview and scrutiny committee hearing on Monday, Gwent Police’s Newport city centre inspector John Davies said: “In regards to aggressive begging, there has been an enormous amount of interest. If you look at the PSPO, it’s how do you legally state that someone is acting aggressively.

“We’re reverting back to legislation from the 1800s when dealing with begging rather than having something which is a workable solution. To prove aggressive begging is something that is difficult.”

He added: “There are several strands to the begging issue. We have genuine homeless people. In the last count in November we had 18 rough sleepers and that increases coming up to Christmas.

“But when you start looking at the number of people who are begging who have homes but are using begging as a source of income, there’s a difference.

“I would say there’s a 50/50 split, 50% will be genuinely homeless and the other 50% will have addresses known to us in Newport.

“We’re working with the council and the Rough Sleepers group to give assistance to the people who are most vulnerable. The ones who don’t want to engage with us are using begging as a source of income and the PSPO will allow us to deal with that.”

Full article 

This is a difficult subject but I am aware that are more and more professional beggars. We have recently just come back from a trip to Bristol we had for a few days and we were approached twice by quite aggressive beggars asking for us money. We do give to charities but personally, it is quite intimidating being approached in the street, especially, when we rarely carry cash anyway. One of these guys was sat more or less under the ATM outside a shop.

[Ubique]

The photo is of a person who travels around the Midland begging , stating that she is a Veteran . If you look closely at the photo,you will see an Army Service number which was issued about 1970 , the photo of the female in Military uniform is of a RAMC Medic who served in the second Gulf War , the Medics courageous action won her the MM . She saved a Tank,Commander whist under sniper fire.

To my knowledge she has been begging in the City twice in the last 12 months , first time was next the McDonalds in Commercial St .At that time a SSAFA Caseworker purchased her a tent and an all weather sleeping bag as a matter of urgency . Further enquiries reveal her story very false.  The second time was when she camped in Eign Gate . After being spoken to she moved on - I am not aware if she has returned .

The RAMC RSM is aware of her and as you can guess he wasn't very pleased to know that somebody was impersonating one of the Regiments Heroes . 

Of course she might well be homeless but the way that she went about her business wasn't acceptable .

[Hereford Voice]

3 hours ago, Ubique said:

The photo is of a person who travels around the Midland begging , stating that she is a Veteran . If you look closely at the photo,you will see an Army Service number which was issued about 1970 , the photo of the female in Military uniform is of a RAMC Medic who served in the second Gulf War , the Medics courageous action won her the MM . She saved a Tank,Commander whist under sniper fire.

To my knowledge she has been begging in the City twice in the last 12 months , first time was next the McDonalds in Commercial St .At that time a SSAFA Caseworker purchased her a tent and an all weather sleeping bag as a matter of urgency . Further enquiries reveal her story very false.  The second time was when she camped in Eign Gate . After being spoken to she moved on - I am not aware if she has returned .

The RAMC RSM is aware of her and as you can guess he wasn't very pleased to know that somebody was impersonating one of the Regiments Heroes . 

Of course she might well be homeless but the way that she went about her business wasn't acceptable .

Glad the I am not the only one who can see this going on.

[atm63]

[Ubique]

Atm63 , I agree with you 100% IF the begger/ homeless person is genuine , to prove that the person is genuine  is quite hard but I know that there are a number of "beggars " who are playing on public sympathy and go home to a warm home with a three course meal waiting for them .

Going on from that if you feel that the person is genuine and you wish to do something , please buy them a coffee/tea and a sandwich  rather than give them money .

[atm63]

There was a young bloke who travelled around the country to different locations he was from Hereford but was exposed by a daily newspaper and it was on TV , a few years ago now. 

[Paul Jones]

Extra £30M funding in an attempt to rid England of rough sleepers. See here

[Ubique]

From today's  Times . 

 

[SON OF GRIDKNOCKER]

The entire premise of this item of garbage is based on an ill-judged and unsubstantiated remark by some earnest local charity's chairwoman ("Sadly, people can earn...). Murdoch's news management experts conflate this into: "Beggars make £200 a day in Britain's happiest town." It almost beats: "Fog In Channel; Britain Cut Off." Pass the sick bag, Rupert!