PROPOSALS to ban street begging appear to be gaining momentum, as Glasgow and Aberdeen team up to press for new by-laws to tackle the perceived problem.

 

By approaching other Scottish cities to gauge the extent of their concern, the two city councils hope to enlist support to persuade the Scottish Government new measures are needed. But are they?

Many people are disturbed to see such visible signs of poverty in our high streets and some feel intimidated or threatened simply by the presence of street beggars.

Meanwhile senior police sources warn that organised gangs are often involved and in some cases are bringing begging to the streets of towns across Scotland where it was previously an uncommon sight. The same sources warn that these gangs not only co-ordinate networks of beggars, but have links to organised crime.

Not all begging is benign. But in the current climate, where thousands of families are reliant on food parcels handed out by the churches, and social problems caused by austerity policies are increasingly on the rise, many cases are genuine.

It is hard to see what new legal measures could achieve. The law already covers begging which is obstructive, or causes fear or alarm. Obtaining money with threats or intimidation could lead to charges of robbery. Glasgow has seen the phenomenon of "barefoot begging" by people who - it is claimed - have simply removed their shoes to garner sympathy. Fraudulent begging is just that, fraud.

A new by-law is not needed to prevent any of these. It would also have to be approved by the Scottish Government, which has set itself firmly against a law allowing someone to be detained or prosecuted simply for sitting begging in the street.

Even if it were approved, would using such a power really be a priority for police resources? Would prosecuting increasing numbers of beggars be a sensible use of court time? Assuming fines might not be paid, would expensive prison terms inevitably follow?

Most senior police officers do not think a by-law is needed, and many see social services and community supports as offering a more positive solution.

We simply do not know the nature of the begging population, and it can only be sensible to gain an understanding of what Aberdeen and Glasgow are calling the "begging demographic". That is why the two cities are to launch a survey of beggars, city centre businesses and people using city centres.

Street beggars in our city centres appear to include those with addiction problems, homeless people, migrants from eastern European countries, and others such as refused asylum seekers unable to return to their home countries. Which if any are causing a problem? Why are they on the streets and how might they be helped towards a different lifestyle? These are questions a survey could usefully answer.

Understanding the phenomenon better can help target resources in the ways which would help beggars directly. But it seems unlikely investing in further criminal sanctions will be the most effective way of doing that.