‘SHOCK’ AT BID TO OUTLAW BEGGING
Tory call is blasted by council boss
COUNCIL leader Susan Aitken has shot down a call to allow by-laws to criminalise begging in Glasgow .
Tory councillor Tony Curtis asked Ms Aitken if she would request power from Holyrood to pass by-laws on begging.
But he was told this wasn’t the solution and she was “shocked” by his suggestion.
A CALL to ask the Scottish Government to allow by-laws to criminalise begging in Glasgow has been shot down by the leader of the council.
Tory councillor Tony Curtis asked Susan Aitken if she would request power from Holyrood to pass by-laws on begging.
But he was told this wasn’t the solution.
Mr Curtis asked what the Council leader was going to do to “eradicate anti-social behaviour of beggars in Glasgow city centre?”
Ms Aitken replied antisocial behaviour was a police matter and it should be reported to them.
Mr Curtis, however, said that tougher action was required and suggested criminalisation.
Mr Curtis said he had met with a group of business owners, the Glasgow Action Group, who are concerned about street begging.
He said: “They are angered by the increasing anti-social behaviour of beggars in the city centre and have asked particular members of your administration and myself to challenge the Scottish Government and to ask what sort of vagrancy laws we can establish in this country like we do down south.
Mr Curtis added: “Use them as an incentive to put some stability in people’s lives rather than to criminalise them.”
The council leader said that was not the answer and was “shocked” an elected member could think it was.
She said: “I am very grateful that we don’t criminalise begging and I will not be encouraging the Scottish Government to go down that road.
“I am shocked that a councillor in our chambers does not know what is driving people onto our streets.
“The problem is benefit caps. Criminalising them is not the answer. A working group is being set up to help combat the problem. Elected members are invited to take part.
“Working in partnership is the solution, not criminalisation.”
Ms Aitken outlined action the council was taking to reduce begging and the need for begging in Glasgow.
She said: “Anti-social behaviour is a matter for Police Scotland. The administration advise you that if you see an incident of anti-social behaviour you should report it to the police. The council works with police to in relation to this issue as well as to address begging. We are dealing with people who have very complex needs.
“We want to solve the problem, not just move it elsewhere.
“We are working to put in place a begging strategy.
“Councillor Allan Casey is taking a lead on that and identifying key areas where begging is most common.”
Glasgow Action Group (GAG), a collection of businesses formed to highlight anti-social behaviour from sections of people in the city centre, said they think a more collaborative approach is the way forward.
A spokesperson for GAG said: “GAG comprises business leaders who are all proud of our city – our culture, our heritage, our entrepreneurship and the warmth of our welcome.
“It is in no-one’s interest to talk down Glasgow, but nor it is in anyone’s interest to turn a blind eye to a crisis that jeopardises the safety of citizens and threatens the livelihood of thousands in the hospitality business.
“We want to take a collaborative approach, working with all agencies, to find a considered solution.”
‘‘ Criminalising them is not the answer