Bradford: Do not give money to roadside beggars, police say

Drivers should not give money to roadside beggars in Bradford, police have said.

People asking for money from motorists have been a regular sight in the city with some walking down lines of cars while they wait at traffic lights.

Supt Richard Padwell, of West Yorkshire Police, said he was worried vulnerable people were putting themselves at risk on the roads.

Enforcement action is used by police to stop the begging, he added.

"We do utilise a full range of powers, including enforcement, including seeking what we call criminal behaviour orders, where we have requirements for individuals to not engage in certain behaviours.

"This is entirely because we do care because we are concerned that vulnerable people should not be putting themselves at risk, or putting other people on the road at risk," he added.

Reverend Linda Maslen, from Fountains Church, said people giving money to beggars had no way of knowing where it would be spent.

"My suggestion would be that people give food, but the money is unlikely to be used on food," she said.

"It's more likely to be used for drugs or something like that which isn't really helping the person and it certainly isn't helping our city."

The cost of living crisis could see more people turn to begging, she added, with people with addictions having "nowhere else to go".

Matthew, who begs on Bradford's roads, said it was embarrassing to ask for money.

"I've been on the streets a long, long time, so I know the people who really are homeless, and the motorists have got no problem helping you if you really are homeless," he said.

"What's going through my mind is: 'I wish I didn't have to do this'. It's embarrassing, and not something I'd wish on anyone."

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