'Aggressive' beggar in a Shropshire town is issued with a police notice

PC Rich Edward, from Newport, said the man, who had been the subject of a number of complaints about his behaviour, had been issued with a 'Community Protection Warning'.

West Mercia Police said the man had on occasions followed people, repeatedly asking for money.

The warning is a first stage before a formal community protection notice, which can include sanctions on activities, is issued.

PC Edward said police had attempted to discuss the man's actions with him prior to issuing the warning, but he had rejected offers for support.

He said: "Complaints detailed how the man had been sat in doorways of businesses and near to cash machines, refusing to move out of peoples way.

"They also detailed how he had followed some individuals repeatedly asking for money from them.

"While we understand there are a number of social, economic and financial reasons why individuals may consider the need to beg, doing so has actually been a criminal offence since the Vagrancy Act of 1824 was introduced.

"Begging such as this man has can cause others to feel harassment, alarm or distress and from speaking to people that have complained, this has been the case in Newport.

"The Safer Neighbourhood Team have spoken to this man a number of times this week to assess his situation and to offer support to him, which on each occasion was declined.

"As the behaviour continued, we issued the Community Protection Warning in accordance with Section 43 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.

"The warning identified to the man the impact of his behaviour and the steps he must take to address this.

"The warning will be reviewed within two years of its issue and we will continue to monitor reports.

"If we receive any further complaints of similar nature, then further action will be considered. We hope this warning will be sufficient to address this man's behaviour."