Following the shocking front page story in this week's Ayrshire Post, we wish to send a message that this type of journalism is neither acceptable nor welcome.

There is no consideration given to the reasons why people find themselves on the streets having to beg for money. It's far too simplistic to individualise poverty and blame the victim - the system which forces people into this position has to be questioned and challenged and surely our local media outlets have a role to play in this?

’Roving Eastern European gangs’

‘lone-wolf Scottish scroungers’

‘immigrant enclaves’

a ‘beggar of Western appearance’

‘sad-eyed woman appears to have a pimp-like male ordering her where to sit’.

This article uses nothing but xenophobic, racist and inciteful language more akin to UKIP, the BNP, Britain First or the Daily Mail.

It's gutter journalism at its worst and we will be campaigning to make it clear that the people of Ayrshire condemn both the tone and language of this article and demand a full apology.

The Ayrshire Post should instead be raising awareness about the causes of poverty and homelessness and how people can help others.