'Shop beggars' call to traders in Hull's Avenues area
TRADERS are being urged to "shop" persistent beggars who harass people in the Avenues.
Pictures and names of four prolific beggars have been circulated around shops and businesses in Princes Avenue and Chanterlands Avenue.
-
A poster featuring the names and pictures of four prolific beggars, which is being circulated to shops in Hull's Avenues area
Police say the problem has recently increased and residents and shoppers often feel threatened by the beggars.
They hope that, with help from the traders, they can gather enough evidence to give them an antisocial behaviour order.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, May 26 2013
Sergeant Adrian Marsden, who is based at Pearson Park police station, said: "There are some regular beggars who cause us problems.
"People who do it seem to think because they aren't asking for money, they aren't begging.
"But the action of sitting there with a cup in front of them constitutes begging.
"They often hang around near the cash machines, which people find very intimidating.
"Others are quite aggressive."
A letter featuring the names and pictures of four beggars has been circulated to traders.
The names on the list are Marie Wormald, Mike Megson, Mike Foster and Christopher Winn.
The letter instructs business owners who receive complaints from customers to record their contact details and pass them on to the police.
Sainsbury's in Princes Avenue is one of the areas where beggars often loiter.
The shop has a cash machine outside.
Manager Louise Mitten said: "We get customers complaining about them a lot.
"With the cash machine being right outside, it is threatening."
But Vicky Reynolds, manager of The Olive Tree, says she has never had a problem with beggars.
She said: "They don't bother me, I actually feel sorry for them.
"There is one guy who can be abusive though and he spits but the others outside Sainsbury's aren't a problem – if they ask for money and you say 'no' they leave you alone."
Sgt Marsden said many do not think begging is illegal but there has been a law banning it since the 1800s.
Many of the beggars target nighttime revellers in Princes Avenue but they have also been spotted in Chanterlands Avenue during shopping hours.
Chanterlands Avenue Community Traders chairman Chris Lee said: "I don't think the problem is confined to the Avenues – all major streets in Hull have beggars."
Anyone wishing to report a beggar should call Humberside Police on 101.
Have you got a story for the Avenues? E-mail e.wright@mailnewsmedia.co.uk or call Emma Wright on 01482 315154.
Comments
by AlArmstrong
Tuesday, November 06 2012, 12:54PM
“Beware, some of these beggars make a very good living out of doing this! I saw one of these scruffy urchins in the summer driving a new Nissan Juke! The bare-faced cheek!”
by rtyrty20
Tuesday, November 06 2012, 8:55AM
“Outside Sainsbury's on Princes Avenue they're standing in a spot covered by one of the city's CCTV cameras. If the operators were a little more proactive (or even awake) they could nip it in the bud as soon as the beggars start their 'shift.' Whilst street begging they're placing themselves at risk anyway, I recall one got his head kicked in a few years ago..”
by exnorthhull
Monday, November 05 2012, 10:45PM
“I have noticed a trend when getting off buses lately being approached and asked if i have finished with my day rider as they "need to get in town urgently" only for them to be selling them on at the bus stop. One kid has asked me on two different occasions. if your going to use the same excuse at least ask a different person.”
by winegumdaze
Monday, November 05 2012, 6:56PM
“Grammer has held me back from writing great plays and spelling ,, Forgive me im a plonker and a bear with a sore head.....pick the mistakes out of this ,My glass in my house is bullet proof.....like my heart.”
by Redjin
Monday, November 05 2012, 12:20AM
“Dave Simmons, manager of Princes Avenue Sainsbury's used to regularly refund 'Gary the homeless dude' sandwich's.
Some people would refuse to give Gary money but would buy him a sandwich and a drink.
I have seen first hand, Gary taking items back for cash to buy alcohol.”
by Clem_
Sunday, November 04 2012, 11:26PM
“I've been approached a number of times by beggars in Doncaster but not in Hull, yet.”
by Zurdo666
Saturday, November 03 2012, 4:40PM
“winegumdaze :
I don't know how you have the nerve to criticise lynne59's mistyping of "beers"
In your short missive you write "were" instead of "where", "didnt instead of did'nt", "your" instead of "you're", "there" instead of "they're" and "murmer" instead of "murmur" as well as using commas instead of apostrophes.
People in glass houses.................etc”
by tosh1958
Saturday, November 03 2012, 8:52AM
“There will be a lot more of them on the street once the benefits cuts take hold.”
by Prescotts_Cat
Saturday, November 03 2012, 8:37AM
“I've seen not I'm.”
by Prescotts_Cat
Saturday, November 03 2012, 8:36AM
“I'm seen beggars sat on the path gabbing away on his new mobile. I refuse to give to any beggar. I am not paying someone's mobile contract off for them.”