Police to crackdown on Birmingham's beggars

Police in Birmingham are warning prolific beggars operating within the city centre that they will be arrested, as they aim to make the area safer.

Officers will be targeting aggressive beggars who intimidate shoppers, workers and visitors in the city, and say they will be arrested if they refuse to stop or get help after being warned.

The crackdown is part of Operation Engage, an on-going police and partner initiative which has been tackling this issue for two years. It was set up after surveys highlighted begging as the biggest issue for people in the city.

As well as tackling aggressive begging, officers are also asking people to report passive begging.

This is when a beggar doesn’t ask for money but instead sits where there is a high footfall of people, such as in doorways, subways and by cash machines

Police are calling for people who witness this behaviour to come forward, so they can apply for anti-social behaviour orders for the prolific offenders.