Police: Don’t give money to aggressive street beggars
POLICE have issued a warning advising people not to give money to aggressive beggars. Officers in Stockland Green, Erdington, are so concerned about the problem they have taken the unusual step of labelling it as an ‘Important Public Message’ on Twitter.
The post said: “Aggressive beggars are operating in Stockland Green near to Reservoir Road Post Office... a group of three males and a female.
“Please could it be asked NOT to directly give money to these individuals as this will encourage them to continue.”
The Post Office in question is at the junction of Slade Road and Reservoir Road where other local businesses include a Coral bookmakers, Opposition hairdressers, Cascade Barbers, Cheers Off Licence, Mobilizer phone shop and Bash Grill & Pizza.
Across the road businesses include Big & Tall Menswear and the Crystal Nails Studio. The manager of one local business said: “We’ve all been concerned about the situation for two or three weeks. We think that when the police move people on from one area, they then go to another – it’s just moving a problem on.”
In recent months, there have been several reported incidents of aggressive beggars.
In Sandwell drunks and beggars have faced £1,000 fines while Public Space Protection Orders have been put in place in Dale End and Bull Street, in Birmingham city centre, meaning the council had the power to fine beggars and rough sleepers if they were causing a nuisance.
In 2016 it was revealed that ‘fake’ beggars were making up to £800 a day in Birmingham city centre by duping the public.
Broad Street manager Mike Olley, said ‘confidence tricksters’ were pretending to be homeless in an attempt to make huge amounts of cash.