BEGGING would be outlawed under a proposal by the City of Perth.

Councillors will this week consider asking the Barnett Government to reintroduce a law to make begging a crime.

The ban – which could result in the homeless being fined – is one of a range of recommendations aimed at reducing the number of people hitting up pedestrians for cash.

It comes after Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi claimed there was anecdotal evidence of a syndicated cartel of professional beggars in the CBD.

Last week, The Sunday Times revealed police were investigating a suspected drug dealer who appears to be co-ordinating young beggars.

A City of Perth report said begging was not illegal in WA and police had no power to prevent it unless beggars display anti-social behaviour.

City rangers have recently experienced increased aggression from beggars, with one ranger being assaulted, according to the paper.

A new local law could be difficult for the council to enforce, but a change in state legislation would give WA Police “a clear mandate and responsibility”.

Ms Scaffidi said the council’s preference was for a ban to work in conjunction with support and referral options, similar to other capital cities.

In Melbourne, begging was made an offence last year but the fine is waived if the person enters a Salvation Army “diversion program”.

“It is not intended to do anything other than show a good duty of care and consideration for those in need,” Ms Scaffidi said.

St Bartholomew’s House chief executive John Berger backed attempts to offer help to beggars but was against fining them.

“People have a right to be heard. To force them into a position of further financial disadvantage seems an ironic approach to the problem. If anything, giving them a fine would only motivate them to want to seek more money by begging,” he said.

If the recommendations are approved, the council will survey beggars and call a meeting of agencies to introduce a diversion program to tackle the causes of begging.

A campaign to deter people from donating to beggars and to donate instead to charitable organisations would also be developed.

A Salvation Army spokesman welcomed the opportunity to consider a partnership similar to the Melbourne model and added: “We know from our initial research that most of those who beg would stop if they had their basic needs met.”