Council must put an end to “aggressive” beggars hounding people for money in Colchester city centre

Cllr Darius Laws, (Rural North Ward) chairman of Colchester’s statutory Crime and Disorder Committee, says the Council must put an end to  'aggressive' beggars hounding people for money in Colchester city centre.

“This behaviour occurs in the Centre despite the Council issuing a Public Space Protection Order banning people for begging for money.

Many residents residents, myself included, find the begging intimidating - especially after dark. I have even seen people being asked for money while sat in the outside seating areas of restaurants.

It is noticeable that begging is not tolerated in the private shopping centres off the High Street, but it is rampant on our High Street, despite having a Public Space Protection Order in place which says: ‘You shall not loiter and aggressively beg’.

Given the frequency with which these menacing approaches are made to members of the public, it should be easy for the Council Wardens to catch people begging in the act.”

Cllr Laws added  ”If these aggressive beggars do not heed the help, advice and guidance given to them. the Council Leadership must ensure that Street Wardens use their power to issue fixed penalty notices".

Conservatives pledge to cut out antisocial behaviour in the City Centre and make it an attractive place to visit.

2023-09-22