Shoppers told to stop giving money to ‘£200-a-day’ beggars
POLICE have told shoppers in Sparkhill to stop giving money to beggars amid claims some make as much as £200 a day.
It has been a long-term problem in the east Birmingham area but now the West Midlands force has warned some beggars are not homeless and are targeting the area because of people’s generosity.
They urged Stratford Road traders to ‘politely’ ask beggars outside of their shops to move and call police if they refuse. But Sparkhill ward councillor Nicky Brennan said it was a ‘complex’ problem driven by a ‘perfect storm’ of factors.
Sergeant Hanif Ullah wrote to businesses recently and said: “The local community have made a number of complaints of persistent begging in the area of your business premises. “This can become a nuisance to your shoppers, and ultimately may result in them going elsewhere to purchase shopping.
“We need your co-operation in preventing/reducing this activity. Businesses should politely discourage beggars outside their premises, if the person refuses to move on then you may wish to call police on 101.
Shoppers are giving money to beggars, which encourages beggars to return, therefore advise customers on this.” A further warning was also put out on the force’s neighbourhood alert service which said: “The beggars we are referring to are NOT homeless they are BEGGARS ....
“They continue to come back time after time because YOU as a community are giving.”
The issue also prompted a discussion on the Sparkhill Neighbourhood Facebook group where it was claimed one particular beggar ‘averages £150£200 daily’.
Last year traders in Stratford Road issued an appeal for people to stop giving to beggars claiming Muslims were being targeted on Fridays in particular.
And in 2018 police expressed concerns about the welfare of people asking for money whilst standing in the middle of the road.
Councillor Nicky Brennan (Lab) said: “Begging on the Stratford Road is something that is reported to me by both residents and traders.
“The issues of begging is a complex one which can go hand in hand with addiction and exploitation. My advice to residents would be not to give money directly. Instead volunteering or donating money to one of the city’s homelessness charities such as SIFA Fireside would be a great way to help which could make a big impact.”