BULLYING beggars are to be turfed off Chester’s streets.
Special police patrols will target known city hotspots and anyone caught begging will be arrested.
Beggars acting aggressively or intimidating people into giving them money will face a public order charge.
Sgt Ian Stead, of the Chester Inner Neighbour Policing Unit, said street begging was illegal and would not be tolerated.
He urged people not to give money to people begging in the city.
Police patrols will now home in on subways and city centre streets where beggars are known to operate.
Sgt Stead said: “We take the issue of begging very seriously in Chester, it is anti-social and can be intimidating to visitors. On occasion we have seen begging become aggressive and frightening for some people. Begging is illegal and police are working with Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) to crack down on those who beg for money from visitors to the town.
He said while there had been a rise in complaints of begging, the problem is not as prominent as in previous years.
“Levels of homeless street drinking and begging has indeed decreased over recent times and this is testament to the positive work being undertaken by charities to engage in the problem.”
Sgt Stead said that instead of giving to street beggars the public could support local charities, including Chester Aid to the Homeless, which is successfully working to tackle the problem.
“People who wish to help the homeless can help by giving to local charities or buying the Big Issue from legitimate sellers.
“Charities like Chester Aid to the Homeless work specifically in the city and I would encourage people who wish to be helpful to give their money to a charity like this rather than directly to people on the street.”