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Last Updated: Friday, 26 September, 2003, 07:29 GMT 08:29 UK
Special officer to tackle beggars
Beggar
The police officer will deal with the problem of homeless people
The first 'Street Life' police officer in the country has begun work in Cambridge to tackle begging and anti-social behaviour.

The Cambridgeshire force is the first to appoint such an officer to deal with drunkenness, those sleeping rough and people behaving anti-socially.

The post has been funded by the city council at a cost of £35,000 and the officer will operate in the three square miles of the city centre.

It is part of a joint effort by the police and council to deal with issues surrounding people who are sleeping rough.

People found on the streets with a drink or drug problem or needing somewhere to sleep will be put in touch with the appropriate organisations.

Earlier this year there was a five month crackdown on aggressive begging that finished earlier this year.

Officers then used a vagrancy act to arrest people found begging in public.


SEE ALSO:
Charities condemn beggar ban
21 Aug 03  |  UK
Beggar banned by judge
21 Aug 03  |  Manchester
Beggars to be treated "sympathetically"
04 Jul 03  |  Norfolk


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