Police in Ely say that there are no homeless people in the city and people shouldn’t give cash (Picture: SWNS)

Police have claimed every single ‘homeless’ beggar in Britain’s smallest city are frauds – making ‘substantial amounts of money’.

Officers have stated there are no genuine rough sleepers in Ely and are concerned that the street beggars are misleading people.

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Members of the public are urged not give the ‘homeless’ beggars in the city in Cambridgeshire money – but food or warm drinks.

Cambridgeshire Police have recently been responding to an increase in the number of beggars operating but can confirm there are no rough sleepers in Ely.


According to latest figures it is believed around 4,751 of people are sleeping rough on any one night in the Britain and around 600 of them are in the Cambridgeshire area.

They said that all homeless people in the town have been dealt with and cared for already (Picture: SWNS)

Shopper Mike Potts, 53, said: ‘To be honest I didn’t think all beggars are homeless. they don’t all claim to be.



‘Some are just down on their luck or have substance issues. I still think that means we should be able to give them a few coins.’

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Amanda Phillips, 30, added: ‘Giving them money just feeds their drug habit..’

One local tweeted: ‘I deal with beggars and the homeless every day in Cambridge and I can hand on heart say in the last 12 months I have come across only one ‘real’ homeless person.

‘The other 99% were professional beggars or drug addicts / alcoholics feeding their habits. The public need to realise that handing money to them does them no favours.’

Another said: ‘I was facing living in a hostel at one point. Grim. Very grim.’

Jack Johnson, 43, has been homeless for the last two years and said his tent was destroyed by the council (Picture: Masons)

One person said online: ‘Every now and then people remember that a huge number of those on the streets are ex-service people who have been badly let down by the country and people they risked their lives for and ALL of them are human.’

Another said: ‘So the chap who regularly sleeps in the recessed shop front of the empty shop near to the mini mart up the way from Wildwood isnt really there is that what they are saying pull the other one and he asks for money.’

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Another said: ‘Kick them out of the city.’

Police said that housing and support has been offered or given to everyone known to be involved in street begging in the city.

Officers say they are ‘keen to impress upon people that there are no rough sleepers in Ely.

This issue is currently being tackled by East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC) in partnership with police.

People are being urged not to give beggars money and instead offer them food or warm drinks (Picture: Masons)

Sergeant Phil Priestley said: ‘There are no rough sleepers in Ely – all of the individuals that have been seen begging recently have been catered for with regards to housing and support.

‘We do not want people to be mislead, because it can be a lucrative opportunity.

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‘It is natural to feel for anyone who appears to be living on the streets or who seems to be affected by hardship.

‘We urge anyone who wants to assist the issue of homelessness to donate to registered charity who will take a co-ordinated approach to tackling the problem.

‘If you do feel moved to give something – offer food or a warm drink by all means – but please do not offer money.’

A spokesman for East Cambs District Cambs Council said the council has taken very thorough steps to ensure that people in need find support.



Angela Parmenter, housing and community safety manager at ECDC, said: ‘Sometimes people don’t want to engage with us because it is possible to earn substantial amounts of money on the streets of Ely.

‘It may appear that the local authority is uncaring – but in truth we are making support available.’

However, one resident has comment on their Facebook page to disputed this.

She said: ‘The man called Charlie who usually sits in the cloisters is genuinely homeless. Yes he has a phone but it’s a basic £10 one that a man brought him.

‘He doesn’t do drugs or drink alcohol. He loves his hot chocolate and is very appreciative when you take him a hot drink.

‘I know a lot of the others that also sit around asking for money ARE NOT HOMELESS.

‘And their money goes on alcohol or the other. Charlie has been to see about trying to get room in the hostel. Hopefully he will get lucky and get a roof over his head very soon.’

Police replied: ‘We are informed that everyone known to be involved in street begging in Ely has been offered or given the appropriate provision of housing and support. I don’t like to get drawn into individual cases.’