Leader of the Nottingham City Council and Labour man Jon Collins said that, "These professional beggars can make up to £800 a day and have in the past waved notes in front of officers."

"Nottingham has a good track record on providing support for homeless people."

"The Council spends over £8 million per year on commissioning specialist treatment services for alcohol and drug addiction."

However, angry activists have pointed out the hypocrisy of the campaign in light of the massive cuts made by Nottingham City Council to homeless charity Framework over the last few years, with budgets slashed for four different homeless hostels across the city, as well as support services for those struggling with mental health problems or drug and alcohol dependence.

Ironically, the new campaign is encouraging those concerned about a possible rough sleeper to call the strained charity's Street Outreach team, instead of giving out cash.

The Labour led council was forced to make cuts of £154 million between 2013 and 2016 thanks to a reduction in funding from the central Conservative government.

Homeless charity Crisis report that the amount of rough sleepers in England more than doubled over the course of the coalition government from 2010 to 2015, increasing by a further third in the past year.

Angry activists are planning to protest the council's anti-giving campaign on the 1st April. The demonstration, hosted by Nottingham Beggar's Union, will see participants walk around Nottingham defiantly handing out cash to the needy.

The group are calling for an end to the "dehumanisation of the poor in Nottingham", arguing simply that, "Poverty is not a crime. Stereotypes are not the truth. Kindness cannot be regulated."