City targets beggars and their benefactors

Officials today launch the biggest push so far to remove begging from London's heart.

A strategy in Westminster, drawn up at the order of the government, combines attempts to help beggars, cut off their supplies of cash from the public, and control those who refuse to give up. Beggars at cashpoints are a specific target, along with those at landmarks in the capital.

Government research found that 54% of people asked said they would not use a cashpoint with a beggar next to it. More video cameras will be set up. Repeat offenders will be photographed.

The council will use “antisocial behaviour orders”, or Asbos, against anyone caught begging on five occasions, allowing beggars with drug problems to get treatment - but not to beg.

Westminster says visitors consider beggars as their number one reason for not wishing to return. But officials say they are more interested to change beggars' behaviour than to punish them.

77% of people arrested and tested had taken drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine. Beggars will have a 24-hour telephone number to find help and advice.

Officials will also ask the public not to give cash. Instead, they want them to give donations to charities and community organisations.

Audrey Lewis, who is responsible for community protection, said: "The message that comes out from the strategy is that, if you need help, whether it be for treatment or a roof to sleep under, we can help you. "However, we will not tolerate begging."

Philip Gough, the project manager, said begging was a national problem, but in London it was worst. "We have a hard core of about 30 to 50 repeat offenders. In addition there are more than 100 'daytrippers' who get arrested and never go begging again."

Jeremy Swain, chief executive of the charity “Thames Reach Bondway”, said the public seemed to know giving cash was not good, but continued to do so. "People must realise that the money they give goes to pay for the petrol the crack dealer puts into his BMW. They are not doing the homeless any good."

Steve (26), a recovering addict, sees sense in Westminster's approach. "The money I got all went to heroin and crack," he said. "But they have to give treatment, or nobody will stop."

(text adapted: 380 words)

Annotations

City – here: the authorities of the City of London; to target – here: to direct their efforts at; Westminster – part of Central London, sometimes used for: the government; cashpoint – cash machine (e.g. at banks etc.); landmark – sight, tourist attraction; hard core – the group with the worst problem; daytripper – someone who makes a trip only for one day, here: one-time beggar; addict – someone who can’t stop using drugs;
letter to the editor - Leserbrief

Your tasks

Write about the following tasks (tasks 1 and 2 in one coherent text, indicating by numbers where each part begins)

1. Describe what measure the London authorities have started, and what results they expect or hope for.

2. The text uses statistics and quotations as its main components. How are they used? What effect does this have? Would you say it makes the reader agree to the measures?

3a. Write a letter to the editor stating your opinion of the measure. Do you agree? Do you perhaps have personal experiences with beggars? What results do you expect?, etc. (Begin with “Sir, …” and end “yours, …)
or

3b. Imagine a reporter goes through the City interviewing beggars about their reasons for begging and what they think of the new measures. Write such an interview.