I’ll expose my town’s ‘fake’ beggars, says businessman

“FAKE” beggars in a Devon town have been warned they will be photographed and exposed by campaigners unless they can prove they’re homeless.

Ashley John Sims, a Torbay businessman, has threatened to distribute photographs of “professional” beggars who he claims are damaging the local economy and intimidating people who are genuinely homeless.

Mr Sims told The Daily Telegraph he decided to take action after learning that fake homeless people were operating in the area. He claimed Torbay had become a “dumping ground” for professional beggars coming from other towns to “top up” their earnings.

Mr Sims said he had photographed 17 people he suspected of being professional beggars.

In one instance, a man admitted to wearing camouflage trousers to give the impression he was an ex-serviceman as that was better for donations “than getting a dog”, Mr Sims claimed.

After speaking with local charities, he has excluded several people on the grounds they were either genuinely homeless or vulnerable, but plans to publish the identities of the remainder.

A homelessness charity, Humanity Torbay, is involved in the campaign to stop fake beggars but is believed to be against the photographs. The council has accused Mr Sims of encouraging “vigilantism” and has labelled the campaign “dangerous”.

Supt Jacqui Hawley, of Devon and Cornwall Police, added: “We in no way condone this activity. The campaign should cease with immediate effect.”