A new campaign by Cambridge City Council is urging people not to give money to beggars, but instead to the charities that help beggars. Charities Wintercomfort, Cambridge Cyrenians, and Cambridge Link-Up have all backed the initiative.

By giving to charity instead of beggars, residents may help minimise antisocial behaviour, because it is thought that one of the reasons the city remains a draw for homeless people from elsewhere in the country is because begging is so effective, and this leads to an in increase in anti-social behaviour on our streets.

Cllr Tim Bick said: “Money to be made from begging is one of the main reasons given for Cambridge being a draw for homeless people from other parts of the country and why the city has a disproportionate share of nuisance behaviour on the street.”