We're grateful for this overview of how Police in Ormskirk town centre are tackling the emotive subject of begging, following this story on QLocal on Saturday http://www.ormskirk.gb.com/ormskirk/...k-55012829.htm


'I am PC1560 Ginn, Ormskirk Town Centre Community Beat Manager.

Thank you for coverage of one of Ormskirk town centre's current issues.

The Neighbourhood Team have been aware of the issues of ‘begging’ on the town centre for some time. Our approach has been to work with the males involved and find a solution to often complex social issues. We have used a friendly approach and got to know the males.


In the last 12 months we are aware that there have been up to 5 males ‘begging’; following advice and referrals into charities, three of the males have chosen not to beg or return to the area from their Merseyside addresses.

Unfortunately two of the males have persisted in begging despite (often) daily warnings over a period of two months (60 days). Repeated offers of assistance and interventions by other groups were declined.

Following enforcement of the Vagrancy Act, the two males were reported for begging and fined £175 each plus court costs. The day after fines were imposed, one of the males was caught begging again and arrested. He was charged and bailed not to enter Lancashire until his court appearance.

It is always sad to have to use enforcement of the law when we have worked very hard to build up a relationship and tried to alleviate a problem, especially when repeated offers of help are declined.

The police acted in response to complaints from members of the public, retailers and West Lancashire Borough Council who had in turn received complaints.

There have been no reports or sightings of begging in Ormskirk since the male was arrested and bailed in mid-July.

We understand that this is an emotive subject and to balance all of the above I would add the following about begging in Ormskirk:

· Carried out by 5 identified males
· Only one was homeless – the other 4 had permanent addresses in Merseyside. Accommodation was found and arranged with a charity for the homeless male.
· Two of the males occasionally stayed in a tent, out house or commercial bin for convenience to be in Ormskirk early on Market Days.
· Police witnessed donated food being put in the bin by one male.
· All of the males were healthy and not in need of any medical intervention.
· Organised collections – one of the males was seen to be dropped off by a silver Mercedes on two occasions. A young, well-dressed female was also seen to collect a large quantity of money from one of the males.
· The fines imposed by the court are to be collected directly from the offending males' benefits.
· The arrested male stated he could net £50 per session and his acquaintance even more due to “how he looks.”
· WLDC Environmental Services were called twice to clear used needles and faeces from a commercial premises fire escape/staff entrance where two of the males were temporarily sleeping.'