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Last Updated: Friday, 4 July, 2003, 09:45 GMT 10:45 UK
Beggars to be treated "sympathetically"
beggar
Aggressive begging will be dealt with "robustly"
Police in Norwich say they will be more sympathetic as they try once more to stop people begging in the city.

The move on Friday follows more complaints from shops that persistent beggars are driving away customers.

As well as moving beggars on, they will offer to help find people food and accommodation, though aggressive beggars will be "robustly" dealt with.

But Sector Inspector Gavin Tempest said: "There may be cases of genuine social need when it is our role to make sure we can get the person access to the right support services."

He said that Police Community Support Officers would first assess the needs of those beggars and offer appropriate help.

Then they would be moved on and given notice not to continue with their behaviour.

"If this is not acted on, the person will be arrested", he said.




SEE ALSO:
First banned beggar avoids jail
03 Jul 03  |  Derbyshire
Beggars banned from town centre
17 Jun 03  |  North East Wales
Red cards for town's beggars
29 May 03  |  Essex
Begging 'to be outlawed'
07 Mar 03  |  UK



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