Clampdown on begging underway on Preston's streets
A campaign has been launched to crackdown on beggers in Preston City Centre.
A campaign has been launched to crackdown on beggers in Preston City Centre
New research claims most people who beg actually claim benefits and have a place to live.
Police, Preston City Council and business leaders are now encouraging people who want to help the homeless to donate to a special fund instead of handing over cash.
The recent research, undertaken in partnership by Lancashire Constabulary, Preston Business Improvement District (BID) Preston City Council and the Foxton Centre, has identified that many of the individuals begging in the city centre actually claim benefits and have a place to live.
The campaign entitled ‘Off The Street’ will encourage people who wish to donate, to do so via official means, and not directly to those who claim to be homeless.
A fund has been established to hold any donations from the public, it will be hosted by the Foxton Centre who will administer it jointly with other homeless support charities to ensure the funds collected are invested in supporting individuals who are in genuine need and wish to engage.
The fund be used to help these people secure a place to live and will not be used to cover the costs of the charities concerned.
Beggars who are persistent in misleading members of the public to part with monies can now be issued with a Community Protection Warning (CPW). The CPW clearly outlines that activities they are engaged in are not welcome and will not be tolerated in Preston city centre. The warning will also provide proactive information directing them to local support available.
Individuals who continue anti-social begging could then be issued with a Community Protection Notice (CPN) which could see them before a county Magistrate.
A key part of the support on offer to the homeless in Preston is a pro-active outreach programme, conducted by the city’s Foxton Centre.
Those begging on the city’s streets will be visited by staff and volunteers to encourage them to engage with the support available.
Mark Whittle from BID said: ‘Many city centre businesses that we represent have made it clear that anti-social begging creates a negative impression of our city centre. Collectively, we want to see those who genuinely need help get it and are very happy to be working with others to ensure that is the case. However, we are acutely aware that many people, who work in our city centre, or visit, are being deceived; this needs to be stop’.
Councillor Robert Boswell – Cabinet Member for Environment at Preston City Council said: ‘Together with the Police and the Foxton Centre, staff from Preston City Council have been talking with and offering support to the people who are begging on the streets of Preston. While there are complex issues at play, it has become evident that a high percentage of the people begging in Preston are not rough sleeping, but are choosing to beg for money.
He continued: ‘Preston is a compassionate and friendly city, so it’s understandable why people are trying to help those who are begging. Unfortunately, this is actually sustaining a begging culture. We have to try to break the cycle by encouraging those people who are choosing to beg to get help and turn their lives around. Long term, it’s in nobody’s best interests to be begging on the streets and as a responsible Council we have to act to help those involved.’
Jeff Marsh, Chief Executive of The Foxton Centre said: ‘We will continue our assertive outreach with homeless people in Preston as we believe having a place to live should be a right in England as it is in Scotland. We would welcome donations to the “Off the Street” Fund to help homeless people access accommodation, this fund would not be spent on the running costs of our charity and its use will be administered by a panel made up from other agencies to ensure it is spent wisely’.
Sergeant Phil Orme said; “Sadly, there are some individuals who exploit others misfortune and the kindness of the public and use this technique to earn some extra money. This is not fair on those who are genuinely in need and so we are working with BID Preston, the City Council and the Foxton Centre to ensure that those who are honestly in need can be helped, and those taking advantage will be moved on and given advice and support. Our priority is to protect our whole community; those who are vulnerable and the members of the public who are willing to help.”
Information on the campaign, included answers to the most commonly asked questions can be found at www.preston.gov.uk