Aggressivebeggingpolicy ‘notbeenverysuccessful’

A Peterborough City Council officer hopes new powers to tackle aggressive begging will help solve the problem after admitting the current policy has not worked. From next month, council officers will be able to caution and fine aggressive beggars and take them to court thanks to new Community Safety Accreditation Scheme powers. Gary Goose, head of community services, said: “If they are aggressively begging there will be a range of options available - first of all warn them, then caution them, and if none of that works, arrest them. “In some cases, arrest might be the first option if it is the right option. But only the police have the powers to arrest. “If it’s someone appearing on the streets for the first time and they give the indication they will stop doing it, we will look at a warning or caution. “Fixed penalty notices are available and the court option. They have a whole range of sanctions available to them.” Mr Goose stressed that the council will continue to try and help rough sleepers find housing, but that aggressive begging was a concern to people. He added: “It’s a hard core number of individuals that most visitors to the city centre will have seen. We are aware it’s an issue of concern to the people who visit the city and work in the city centre. “What we have tried so far has clearly not been very successful. “Enforcement is not the only answer. What’s the point taking someone to court when they will not be able to pay the fine?” Councillor Irene Walsh, the council’s cabinet member for communities and environment capital, said the council helps people who are begging to find benefit entitlements and search for temporary accommodation. She added: “We ask people not to give money to people who beg as this does not encourage them to access the services they require to improve their lives. Instead they should give money to charities which help the homeless such as Shelter.”