Anti-Social Behaviour

 
 

Begging Strategy

As part of the TOGETHER Street Scene campaign Westminster City Council has been designated a Trailblazing local authority, committed to working in partnership to tackle begging. The Council is linked with four other local authorities that are working to eradicate begging in their respective authority areas with a wide variety of local partners. Westminster’s Trailblazing local authority partners are:

In addition our two other major partners are:

Westminster Council and the Metropolitan Police Service’s Westminster Borough command team recognise that despite the police regularly using their powers under the Vagrancy Act 1824 enforcement alone is not working. New ideas need to be developed to tackle not just the beggars but the causes of begging. To that end the Council has developed a strategy that, while embracing enforcement, also includes assistance and communication.

OUR AIM: To create a cleaner and safer environment for the general public across Westminster by taking effective action to reduce begging.

OUR OBJECTIVE: Through an effective partnership with the Metropolitan Police Service and other stakeholders we aim to:

  • Reduce begging around cash points and at high profile locations.
  • Undertake proactive interventions against those persons deemed to be prolific beggars.
  • Work with housing providers to discourage people from begging within the City.
  • Discourage the public from giving to beggars.
  • Undermine the drug market in Westminster by reducing the number of drug users.
  • Ensure that support and treatment is available to those beggars who are prepared to accept help and change their lifestyle.

"Home Office research tells us that 54% of the public will no longer use a cash point machine if there is somebody begging next to it." Councillor Simon Milton, Leader of the Council, Annual State of the City Speech March 2004.

We are using our CCTV network to monitor 154 cashpoints for beggars. Where they are detected the police are contacted and attend as soon as possible. This positive approach to the problem, by the Council and police, resulted in a 90% reduction in the number of people begging at cashpoints during.


"I know that begging makes both visitors and residents feel afraid. My officers are committed to dealing with low level crimes and anti-social behaviour. It is through tackling these crimes and arresting those responsible that we send a clear message out – crime and anti-social behaviour is not tolerated in Westminster" Commander Chris Allison, head of policing in Westminster.

 

Westminster City Council is committed to discouraging anti-social behaviour in high profile locations. At Westminster Cathedral Piazza the Council is working with local businesses, the Cathedral authority, residents and the local school to bring about design change on the Piazza. In April 2004 the designated street drinking control zone was extended to include central and north Westminster.


 

Persistent aggressive begging has been addressed through the courts, by applying for anti-social behaviour orders (ASBO’s.) In consultation with our partners, including the Crown Prosecution Service, the City Council has made six successful applications to the courts in Westminster. In addition a further three beggars, who frequented Westminster, were made subject of ASBO’s by the London Borough of Camden. We do not seek to prohibit people from coming to Westminster as some have bona fide connections with the borough. However we do expect people to behave when they are here and this is reflected in the conditions we seek to impose.


During 2004 Westminster and Camden Councils, in conjunction with Thames Reach Bondway and other partners, promoted the Killing With Kindness campaign. We sought to raise public awareness about how money given to beggars is spent and to warn of the danger associated with giving money to beggars.

Giving money to beggars may keep them on the street and by providing them with money to buy drugs it might kill them. For more information about giving money responsibly please visit http://www.killingwithkindness.com

During 2005 we intend to launch a Diverted Giving Scheme in Westminster. This will enable the public to give money, but know that it will be targeted to help individuals who lead chaotic lifestyles.



In August 2004 the Home Office extended drug testing, for those persons charged with a criminal offence, to include begging. This should not be viewed as a negative activity or one that is intended to stigmatise the individual. A person can refuse to provide a sample, but for those testing positive it triggers the opportunity for the introduction of a support programme designed to meet an individuals specific needs. The Drug Intervention Programme will support those persons actively seeking to engage with us and bring order to a chaotic lifestyle.

Recent tests of those arrested and charged with begging in Westminster have indicated that over 70% tested positive. By reducing the number of drug dependent beggars in Westminster and encouraging those who test positive to tackle their addiction we will seek to actively contribute to the drive to undermine the drugs market in Westminster.



It is important to recognise that not all of those arrested for begging in Westminster are homeless and not all those who are homeless beg. Westminster City Council is committed to tackling rough sleeping and works closely with contracted and voluntary care providers. If you see a person sleeping rough in Westminster you can provide information through the 24/7 reporting line 020-7641-3841.

Thames Reach Bondway
The Connection at St Martins
The Passage
St Mungos