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Plans to tackle ‘aggressive and persistent’ city centre beggars have stirred plenty of debate.

Newcastle City Council’s Safe Newcastle Board is setting up a project team to assess and plan the use of injunctions to tackle the ‘top 10’ offenders in the city.

The injunctions, which could come into force in October as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014, would compel them to accept accommodation and drug or alcohol treatment.

Since plans of the crackdown first came to light on Tuesday, readers of ChronicleLive.co.uk have had their say online and on social media.

Matt O’Malley said: “Instead of wasting money on creating ASBOs and all the paper work and man hours put into them, why not put the money towards helping them sort their lives out.”

But Michael Hall responded: “That’s a good idea Matt, like that’s not tried week in, week out. They don’t want it.

“They are offered loads and throw it back in the faces of people who are trying to help them because they are content to live off handouts from the public, to which they get quite a bit from.”

poll loading Does Newcastle have a problem with begging? 500+ VOTES SO FAR YES NO

The new powers start on October 20 and the purpose of the injunctions is to prevent nuisance and annoyance by stopping individuals engaging in anti-social behaviour quickly, nipping problems in the bud before they escalate.

The new act replaces 19 existing powers, with six which include an injunction to prevent nuisance and annoyance.

Writing on the Chronicle’s Facebook page, Jacob Pattern said: “Persecution of the disadvantaged without solving the real source of the problem. They will be lost in the system once put through this petty scheme.

“The council should be ashamed of themselves for ranking the most vulnerable of our society.”

Nicola Birkett posted: “I’ve never met an aggressive homeless person yet in town and I’m there on a daily basis.

“I always give what I can and they’re always polite and very grateful.”

Michael Wass added: “I’ve noticed that over the last few years, the number of rough sleepers has increased dramatically.

“A friend of mine who lives by the Gate regularly had rough sleepers breaking into the building and sleeping in the stairwells.

“The street people aren’t usually aggressive but there is quite clearly a serious substance problem going on in town that isn’t being talked about.”

Lib Dem city councillor for North Heaton, Greg Stone, previously said the term ‘top 10’ was inappropriate.