Police vow to tackle beggars in Shrewsbury town centre
Police have pledged to tackle the issue of professional beggars on the streets of the county town.
In recent weeks a number of complaints have been made about aggressive beggars causing problems on Shrewsbury’s main streets.
Police say the number of homeless people has not significantly risen, but the number of reports made to them has.
Chief superintendent Kevin Purcell said a number of partners are now working together to tackle the issue, and he is confident people will see the efforts result in a change in a few weeks time.
He said: “I think vulnerability is key because we know many homeless people have mental health issues, and we need to get that right.
“I accept that there are professional beggars, people who are there for the lifestyle that we need to deal with.
Professional begging has been an issue in Shrewsbury in the past, with a campaign and scheme set up urging people not to give to beggars.
The alternative giving scheme instead encouraged people to place money in one of several metal containers around the town.
It was an initiative designed to ensure that people wanting to help the homeless would see there money given to people who were genuinely without a home.
Ch Supt Purcell continued: “What I have asked to happen this week as a matter of urgency is a proper profiling of who we are dealing with and whether people there have been offered properties.
“Elsewhere I have seen people having properties, benefits and still begging to fund alcohol and drug addictions.
“I am confident that within a few weeks we will really be on top of this.”
Reports have suggested some people have been coming to the town from areas such as Chester, in order to beg for money.
Ch Supt Purcell said the increase in reports of incidents could be because those who are begging are more visible because of the warm summer weather.
He also said that just moving people on from the town centre is not a sustainable solution. He added: “It is easy to say move them on, but we want to problem solve.
“Moving them on means they will be a problem further down the road in a residential area or someone’s business.
"It is not just about policing on its own, it is all of us working together to make a difference.”
