Five people arrested in Coventry for begging

Five people have been arrested for begging as part of a police crackdown.

Undercover officers have been operating in Coventry city centre and making arrests when they were asked for money.

To charge beggars with the offence, police need evidence from a person who has been asked for money, police said.

A 31-year-old man was fined £65 and two others, aged 30 and 31, spent two nights in custody. A 27-year-old woman and man, aged 24, have yet to be dealt with, a spokesman said.

Some of these street people belong to organised groups who are already beginning to change their tactics. I've noticed some of the regulars have already started "begging in silence" meaning they are now vagrants instead of beggars.

Some of these street people belong to organised groups who are already beginning to change their tactics. I've noticed some of the regulars have already started "begging in silence" meaning they are now vagrants instead of beggars.

They might also move away from the city centre and into the suburban shopping centres and retail parks.

Once convicted their pictures ought to be circulated, that way they are unlikely to offend locally again.

Is this a permanent operation by the cops or one of their "2 week crackdowns" where once it is over normal service resumes

I much prefer the tramps / eccentrics from the old days.