Beggars intimidated the public
SIX aggressive beggars have been named and shamed after being jailed for intimidating revellers in Broad Street and Brindleyplace.
The men include drug addicts and alcoholics who have become violent when challenged by street wardens.
Peter Greatrex, Andrew Martin, Lee Pearce, David Dyke, David Moody and Nathan Davies have all been jailed after the granting of Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) following a crackdown by police and business leaders.
The Westside Business Improvement District, which represents firms in the area and runs a street warden scheme, teamed up with police to secure the orders against the six.
Police said the men have been in and out of custody breach of their CBOs.
Westside manager Mike Olley said: “These are not genuinely homeless. They refuse offers of help. Begging is a job for them, they earn their money this way.
“Some have become violent when challenged. They have attacked our wardens with syring- all for es and knives. extreme cases.
“Some of them people.”
Westside assist police by operating the street warden scheme and gathering witness statements, he added.
The CBOs are granted against an individual for persistent anti-social behaviour – in these cases they These are are very the nasty were reported at least three times for begging.
After a further three offences they can be sentenced to imprisonment for breach of the order.
Pc Peter Ash, of Birmingham Police, said: “We continue to provide support and guidance to beggars who may be homeless or battling addiction.
“There are support groups avail- able to help battle drug, alcohol and gambling addictions. We work closely with housing and care provider Midland Heart, the local charity Birmingham Changing Futures Together and Birmingham City Council to help keep beggars and the homeless off the streets of the city.
“In some cases, where repeat people refuse the help available to them, we have to enforce stricter conditions including Criminal Behaviour Orders, to prevent nuisance and intimidation to members of the public and local businesses.
“Those who continue to beg and breach their orders are sent back to court, too, and often handed a short prison sentence as punishment.
“Our main focus is to help with rehabilitation, getting the support and practical things they need to get back on their feet.
“We work closely with people who can help break the cycle of drug or alcohol addiction and readily offer their services.
“We are visiting a rehabilitation centre in Weston-Super-Mare next week, who offer support for homeless people and beggars to share best practice and see if this is something we could replicate here.”