I READ with interest the letter from Pete Legg (July 28) regarding his concerns about the presence of beggars during his walk from the Bournemouth Travel Interchange to the beach.
His comments are indeed very timely as we are just about to launch an anti-begging campaign with the aim of helping as many of those as possible off our streets.
The campaign is a multi agency approach which, among other things, asks the public to donate money via text to the Bournemouth Rough Sleepers Team rather than give money direct to those on the streets. It is hoped that the team can engage with those most in need and get them the services they require.
At the same time, action will be taken against those whose behaviour is deemed to be anti-social. This is a nationwide problem, but it has become much greater this summer in Bournemouth with an increase in vagrants from elsewhere in the country.
CLLR ROBERT LAWTON, Portfolio Holder for Housing, Bournemouth council
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