A Shrewsbury police officer has claimed begging is a “lucrative exercise” after one beggar told him he had made £50 in three hours.

Constable David Walton is urging the public not to give money to people on the streets of Shrewsbury but instead donate to homeless charities.

The plea follows a crackdown on begging in the town. Police are now regularly seeking Criminal Anti Social Behaviour Orders (Crasbos) through the Magistrate Courts to try and prevent anti-social behaviour.

Constable Walton said last summer police were regularly dealing with anti-social behaviour from a number of vagrants in the town.

He said: “We will look to utilise the legislation to provide relief for the public from anti-social behaviour by continuing to apply for Asbos or Crasbos.

“Twelve individuals are currently the subject of warnings and evidence is currently being gathered in respect of them.

“Begging is a criminal offence and many people feel intimidated by their presence particularly at or near footbridges.

“There is an alternate giving scheme where members of the public can donate money to the homeless. Receptacles are held at a number of locations in the town centre including the town centre police station, the Guildhall and the Music Hall.”

Constable Walton said the police would like to see a homelessness charity come forward and drive the initiative forward.

“Giving money directly to beggars is likely to result in those monies being spent on alcohol and drugs,” he said.

“It is a lucrative exercise with a beggar recently telling me he made £50 in Hills Lane for three hours’ ‘work’.

“We are also looking to point local homeless people towards The Big Issue to sell their magazine. There are four pitches in town with only one occupied by a local man.

“Previous experience has shown that persons who breach a Crasbo are dealt with by the courts in a robust manner.

“Many individuals do take the opportunity to sort out their issues after receiving Crasbos and do not come to further notice,” he added.

By Rebecca Lawrence