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As many as 16 professional beggars are said to be exploiting shoppers across three high street hotspots in Grimsby and Cleethorpes to fund their drug and drink habits.

The council has revealed the extent to which the generosity of the public is being taken advantage of by some beggars who are not homeless and have access to accommodation and who ask for cash from passersby.

North East Lincolnshire Council says the problem, previously found in larger towns and cities, is "unfortunately on the rise" locally.

A so-called 'professional beggar' is defined by the council as someone who is not homeless, has access to accommodation one way or another and who see begging for cash as a "lucrative way of making money".

And a report by the council says the money which is handed over by concerned passers-by is commonly used to pay dealers for drugs.

It says: "There are approximately 16 active beggars currently known to agencies in North East Lincolnshire. The local beggars who frequent our public spaces do have complex needs which are predominantly around drug addiction.

"The vast majority have access to accommodation and are not deemed to be homeless.They have refused to engage with the services and it is evident that they continue to beg in order to obtain money which in most cases will be used to fund their drug addiction.”

And the council quoted recent research by an outreach charity which reported that most cash handed out to beggars ended up in the hands of drug dealers.

The report said: "In 80% of cases the money given to an individual either funds a drug or alcohol habit and the person begging is not actually homeless."

Last month a woman with a heroin addiction appeared at Grimsby Magistrates Court after she was arrested for begging at Cooplands bakery in St Peter's Avenue, Cleethorpes.

Lisa Bentley also had previous convictions for shoplifting and theft.

NELC's policy and recent action in relation to beggars has been released ahead of a communities scrutiny panel meeting on December 14.

It comes after Humberside Police's Operation Hercules - aimed at beggars and street drinkers in Freeman Street and Grimsby town centre - was hailed as a success.

Following a recent fact-finding exercise the council identified 16 regular beggars who have "complex needs" which are predominantly around drug addiction.

They are known to target three specific areas of the borough; Grimsby Top Town (mainly Victoria Street), Freeman Street and Cleethorpes town centre (mainly St Peter's Avenue, High Street and Market Place).

(Image: Jon Corken)

The council's research found that the professional beggars identified would not engage with the support agencies, and so enforcement has been implemented.

NELC say that in the first instance, support is offered to individuals but enforcement is then necessary, in the form of Community Protection Warnings (CPWs) and Notices (CPNs).

These are issued for unreasonable behaviour and the detrimental effect it is having within the area.

So far 15 CPWs have been issued by the council, with seven of the warnings progressing to CPNs.

Three individuals have been reported for summons by the police but additional evidence is required before a prosecution can be sought, according to NELC.

In Grimsby's Top Town, a focused effort of council-led enforcement saw the occurrences of begging reduce, with two of the more active beggars migrating to the Freeman Street area.

Only "one or two" active beggars are known to be operating infrequently in Grimsby town centre, a low prevalence helped by the recent crackdown on anti-social behaviour at the Riverhead area of town.

In Freeman Street, a small minority of beggars decided to move here from Top Town following enforcement, including one beggar with a Criminal Behaviour Order against him for begging in Top Town.

For the council, Freeman Street still remains an area of "complex needs and reality predicts that the begging issue has not gone away".

Due to the resort's "vibrant night time economy" Cleethorpes has become a "natural attraction of Cleethorpes", say council officers.

Beggars are known to exploit a "greater window of opportunity" to cash in on a "large evening footfall", NELC say.

In tackling the issue in Cleethorpes, "positive action" is being taken and one individual subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order has again been arrested and charged back to court.

A further arrest includes a female for begging activities and then re-arrested for breaching her bail upon her return to begging, and another male arrested for begging and a robbery linked to begging who is now out of the county.

Earlier Community Protection Warnings and Community Protection Notices issued to other beggars have expired and these are starting to be re-issued.

As the authorities continue to curb begging on our streets, the council is looking to keeping pushing its "think before you give" campaign and is urging local businesses to get behind the scheme.

These findings will be discussed at an NELC communities scrutiny panel meeting on December 14.