Council may criminalise beggars

Jan 3 2013

Beggars could be criminalised as part of a renewed attempt to clear the social problem from Aberdeen's streets.

The city would be the first place in Scotland to implement a bylaw, with fines or imprisonment used as a "deterrent", according to a suggestion by an administration councillor.

Previous attempts ended with the creation of "begging boxes" for donations in the street instead of legislation. No formal proposal has yet been tabled, a spokesman for the council said.

Labour councillor Willie Young, whose party shares power with Conservatives and Independents, says the public expects action.

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, he said: "Those that need our help most should get our help. So those that are begging in the streets, who need help to come off of begging, to get into homeless accommodation etc, should be looked after.

"Those, for want of a better word, perhaps chancing their arm, going out there and begging to make money should be looked at, and that's why we're introducing a bylaw."

A previous justice of the peace, Mr Young said provisions of the Homelessness Act mean no one should have to live on the streets. Legislation which came into force on December 31 gives anyone who loses their home through no fault of their own the entitlement to settled accommodation.

Previously, only those classed as being in priority need, often families with children, had that right.

Paul McNamee, editor of homelessness magazine The Big Issue, said alternatives to begging should be found.

"It is incredibly dangerous to try to criminalise anybody who is right on the margins," he told the BBC. "Why people beg, I don't know, there's a whole myriad of reasons. But the thing you don't do is criminalise them."