Gang duo are booted out for begging

TWO women from a Glasgow organised crime group have been booted out of England for “preying on the public’s goodwill” by begging in Carlisle city centre.

The pair were removed from the city by police after they were discovered pretending to be homeless.

Cumbria police apprehended the duo as they were begging passers-by for money in Carlisle, which is a criminal act in England.

The pair were handed over to British Transport Police officers who sent them back to Glasgow.

A Cumbria Police spokesman said: “The two females are just a small part of an organised crime group from Glasgow that sends people to Carlisle, and most likely other cities to beg for money.

“Having obtained their details we were able to confirm that they are not homeless and in fact have home addresses in Glasgow.

“The two females were issued with community protection warnings before they were escorted to the train station by our officers.

“British Transport Police then took over and made sure they left on a train back to Glasgow.”

The English police force issued a warning for members of the public.

The spokesman said: “They prey on the public’s goodwill in order to obtain money and food which they take back to Glasgow.

“Not many people are aware that begging is an actual crime.

“The Vagrancy Act 1824 states that it is an offence to sleep rough or beg in England or Wales, and that anyone found to be sleeping in a public place or to be trying to beg for money can be arrested.”

Scotland repealed the Vagrancy Act in 1982 but it remains in use in England and Wales.

Cumbria police say the city has been repeatedly targeted by a Glaswegian group of beggars over the past few weeks. A spokesman added: “We work closely with Carlisle City Council’s Homelessness Team and other organisations to ensure people who are legitimately sleeping rough are referred and supported to the correct organisations.”