Council working to address aggressive beggars

A local authority has said it is working with police to address the issue of a small number of beggars taking an increasingly aggressive approach.

Some residents, shoppers and shopkeepers said they had been made to feel uncomfortable by individuals and groups of beggars, predominantly in Blackpool town centre.

Although street beggars would traditionally sit and ask for change, in recent incidents people have been approached directly and in some cases followed for a short time, Blackpool Council said.

"No one should feel intimidated or unsafe in their own neighbourhood or while just going about daily activities," a spokesperson said.

The local authority said it "fully appreciates" concerns raised through local police and community meetings, noting there had been an increase in the number of individuals begging who had "complex vulnerabilities", particularly in the town centre.

This appeared to be due to a combination of "wider economic pressures and housing instability", along with the concentration of support services and facilities within the town centre, it said.

"Many of these individuals are in need of support, but we recognise that they can also contribute to increased reports of anti-social behaviour and can have a significant impact on residents, businesses and visitors," the spokesperson said.

The council was addressing the issue with the help of Lancashire Constabulary and probation, housing, health and other support services, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

That work included outreach and engagement work with vulnerable individuals, enforcement action in cases of criminality or anti-social behaviour, and daily patrolling.

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