A 'persistent' city centre beggar blames the public for feeding his heroin addiction, Greater Manchester Police have claimed.

The man, named only as 'Pete', reportedly told officers he would have 'given up drugs long ago if money was not so easily available on the street.'

The most he has ever been given at one time is £300, it was said.

Police said in a Facebook post that Pete's battle with heroin has led to him being evicted twice in the past two years and ending up rough sleeping again.

GMP's city centre team have taken a robust approach to dealing with begging in recent years and regularly post on social media about their ongoing battle to clamp down on the problem.

Offenders appear almost every day at Manchester Magistrates' Court charged under the Vagrancy Act 1824, a piece of legislation that many critics, including the opposition Labour party, want to see repealed.

The punishment usually amounts to a fine or time already served in custody.

But police also argue it is a useful tool for getting people with addiction problems the chance to get professional help.

Bosses are quite clear on their position that the public should not give money to beggars, and should instead donate to charities such as the Big Change Manchester campaign.

In a bid to reinforce their position, police shared the following insight on social media on Friday night:

"One of the city centre's persistent beggars called Pete recently told us that he blamed the public for feeding his addiction, stating he would have given up drugs long ago if money was not so easily available on the street," the Facebook post read.

(Image: Manchester Evening News)

"He said the most cash he'd been given in one go, was £300.

"Pete continued to beg whilst accommodated as his benefits didn't cover the bills and his heroin habit, which has led to him being evicted twice in the last 2 years and back sleeping rough on the streets.

"If you are visiting the city, consider an alternative to street giving #BigChangeMcrhttps://streetsupport.net/manchester/bigchangemcr/ "

The story sparked a mixed response from followers on social media.

"That's why I don't give to beggars," wrote one.

"Seems to me like if someone could just actually help him quit drugs that would probably be better than you try to stop people being kind or generous to the needy," another added.

And another wrote: "Imagine a world where the people committing the crime blame the people acting out of charity and good faith. What a wonderful world."

Manchester Council has adopted the same stance on begging, warning locals and visitors not to hand over cash.

And council chiefs are currently considering whether to impose whether to impose a controversial Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) banning anti-social behaviour such as aggressive begging from the city centre.

It would mean anyone caught could be fined £100 on-the-spot or up to £1,000 if taken to court.

A public consultation ended in April and council officials are now digesting the response from all parties before considering next steps.

City centre police say the PSPO will be a useful extra tool to help them clamp down on anti-social behaviour, one of the most common complaints they receive.

Critics, however, say the measure will criminalise those genuinely living on the street and struggling to get by.

The opposition Lib Dems have described it as a 'homeless tax' that will lead to 'social cleansing'.