Aggressive beggars to be banned

TOUGH new measures could see anti-social beggars who drink and take drugs banned from the centre of Scotland’s largest city.

The major crackdown would see individuals who refuse help and support, and cause problems for other people, prohibited from entering the centre of Glasgow.

Glasgow City Council and police are proposing to impose criminal anti-social behaviour orders on any anti-social beggars.

The council said it is not targeting those in genuine need and insists the proposed move will target the minority of beggars who use the city centre as a drinking den or a place to take drugs.

The banning order, which is already available to the courts, would also see support being provided for people in the area where they live so they do not need to come into the city centre.

The council said a small number of people, many who live elsewhere, come to the city centre daily to beg.

Allan Casey, chairman of the council’s begging strategy working group, said: ‘People who beg in the city centre are doing so because they are in a desperate state of need.

‘Our job is to do whatever we can to put people in need in touch with the support services that can make a difference to their lives.

‘However, unfortunately there is also a very small group of people who routinely reject the support that is available to them.

‘This tiny minority is involved in drink or drugfuelled disorder that is causing a disproportionate impact on the people who use the city centre.

‘We are very clear that this kind of anti-social behaviour cannot be tolerated.’