INSPECTOR BRETT CALKIN: Any instances of beggars opening car doors to demand money should be reported to police.

Brazen beggars have upped the ante in their quest for money by opening car doors to harass motorists.

In Palmerston North, acting inspector Brett Calkin said he knew of at least two instances in the past week of beggars approaching cars and opening the driver's side door just after the driver had parked on Broadway Ave.

"We've had a couple of reports of that happening, particularly to elderly people, it can be quite frightening. We want them to call us straight away, or if someone sees it happening to call us, or go into the nearest shop and use the phone to call us from there."

Manawatu Standard reporter Jono Galuszka had a similar experience on Saturday morning, while he was stopped at the traffic lights on King St.

Mr Galuszka said his passenger-side door was approached by a man as he sat stationary at the intersection about 8.30am.

The man looked in and saw the door was locked, and walked around the car to his driver's side door.

As he reached for the handle, Mr Galuszka hit the lock and found himself on the end of a tirade of abuse.

When he asked the man what he wanted, he told him he'd had a fight with his girlfriend and needed some money, Mr Galuszka said.

At that moment, the lights turned green, and Mr Galuszka apologised for not being able to help and drove away.

He stopped a short way down Cuba St and reported the incident to police.

In August, Palmerston North woman Sandie Carlin's daughter, Kacie, was sitting in their car as she waited for her mother while parked across the street from Pizza Hutt on Broadway Ave when a man attempted to get into the vehicle.

The doors were locked, but he kept asking for money and she slipped him a few coins through a crack in the window.

Police were called, but he was not found.

In December last year, the Palmerston North Safety Advisory Board, which includes the city council and police, launched the The Give Wisely campaign in an effort to discourage people from giving money to beggars.

Posters with the "Give Wisely" message were handed out to shops in Broadway Ave, around The Square and outside The Plaza, asking people to give to charities rather than beggars.

Begging is not illegal, and Palmerston North does not have an anti-begging bylaw.

Calkin said officers would be out reminding the public of the campaign message.