4 south wales echo  WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2018
News
‘The police just don’t want
any homeless in Cardiff –
they’re using ‘aggressive
begging’ as an excuse...’
It has been described by one pub owner as
one of the biggest issues facing businesses in
Cardiff city centre – so-called ‘aggressive
begging’. Anna Lewis reports
“Aggressive begging” has
become a growing concern in the
capital of Wales – both for those
visiting the city and those sleep-
ing rough on its streets.
On Monday business improve-
ment district FOR Cardiff
announced its decision to fund
and recruit two police constables
from South Wales Police. Their
job will be to tackle problems
including aggressive begging.
The officers, they have said, will
help the not-for-profit organisa-
tion “transform” the city centre, to
make it more “welcoming, vibrant
and influential”. But the decision
has not been welcomed by all –
and has been criticised by home-
less charities as “criminalising”
an already vulnerable population.
‘Our vision at FOR Cardiff is to transform Cardiff This is the reality of “aggressive
city centre, making it more welcoming, vibrant begging” in Cardiff, according to
and influential’ – Adrian Field of FOR Cardiff those dealing with it every day.
■■What is “aggressive
begging”?

@WalesOnline
Under the operation, which
began in response to complaints
from visitors, residents and busi-
nesses, people are given a section
35 notice requiring them to leave
the city centre.
■■What is the problem?
Business owners in the city
centre have said they have been
faced with both verbal and physi-
cal threats from people asking for
money.
Nick Newman, general man-
ager of The Philharmonic and
chairman of Cardiff Licensees
Forum, has described aggressive
begging as the “biggest issues fac-
ing businesses in the city centre”.
According to him, it has
stopped other businesses on St
Mary’s Street putting tables and
chairs on the streets due to an the police are doing. I think the shals and Street Ambassadors
overwhelming problem with anti- police were doing a great job and will enhance the overall visi-
social behaviour. before For Cardiff’s announce- tor experience.
He said: “In the last six months ment which should be congratu- “We will be making sure the
I have had three or four verbal lated.” officers are fully aware of local


 According to South Wales

Police “aggressive begging” is
threats and one physical threat
which I have all reported as we ■■What is being done now?
issues affecting the BID area, as
part of the force’s commitment to



defined as behaviour which could are asked to do. From this week FOR Cardiff will neighbourhood policing.



make a member of the public feel
intimidated.
This can include begging near a
cashpoint, directly asking a per-
son for money and antisocial




beahviour.

 

 
A South Wales Police spokes-
“In one instance someone
stepped into my path to ask for
money and I couldn’t even
decline and couldn’t walk on.
“As someone who has been a
landlord in several city centre
pubs I know how to look after
be Wales’ first business improve-
ment district to tackle city centre
issues including “aggressive beg-
ging”.
As part of their role, the two
funded police officers will also
deal with antisocial behaviour
“Whilst they will be in place to
help members of the public, busi-
nesses and stakeholders in the city
centre, any serious incidents or
emergencies should always be
reported to the police by calling 999.”

 

person said: “All begging is an myself. My concern is more vul- and retail crime and will support ■■What do homeless people in
offence anyway but things we will nerable people. existing South Wales Police Cardiff think?






see as a priority include people “You can’t quantify what resources in the area. Some sleeping rough in Cardiff





 sitting by a cash machine, people impact it’s having on a city centre. Businesses will be now be able city centre has described “aggres-
directly asking for money, persis- I have to deter people out of my to raise these issues with the FOR sive begging” as the work of a
tent begging or any behaviour fire exit in my premises and I Cardiff team who will pass them small minority “tarring others
that a member of the public could know other people have had to. directly to the officers. with same brush”.








find intimidating.” “Coffee Heaven on St Mary It’s aim is to make Cardiff city Derrick Clarke has been sleep-
 


In November 2017 the police Street have had to stop putting centre more “welcoming, vibrant ing rough on and off for the last 20
force said it had made 18 arrests out tables and chairs as they get and influential”. years. Previously a qualified
and confiscated 40 alcoholic completely swamped by aggres- Executive director of FOR Car- nurse, the 40-year-old sits near



  drinks as part of ongoing Opera- sive beggars.” diff Adrian Field said: “Our vision Windsor Place every day and
tion Purple Ash. He added: “My main concern is at FOR Cardiff is to transform Car- receives food and water from
It also found that only 7% of that people in genuine need are diff city centre, making it more those living and working nearby.



 

 those arrested for aggressive beg- not getting the time and resources welcoming, vibrant and influen- He said: “There is a stigma that
ging and drinking in the Welsh they need. tial. This service will be a great there are people who are begging


capital were homeless, according “What it really needs if that addition to FOR Cardiff’s existing that have somewhere to go and



to figures from Cardiff Council. focus, a new focus behind what projects such as our Night Mar- somewhere to live but I don’t.