POLICE in Charminster say they are tackling so-called 'professional' beggars.

As reported in the Daily Echo on Friday, visitors to Westbourne are being urged not to hand over money to the homeless due to a rise in 'career beggars'.

Sergeant Sophie Williams wrote to residents with advice on what to do if approached by people asking for money.

She said: "We are seeing a stark increase in professional begging across the borough."

Now officers based in Charminster say they are also tackling the issue.

Safer Neighbourhood Sergeant Guy Nicholas said: “This is a national problem and not just confined to Bournemouth and Charminster.

“We are experiencing the same issues as Westbourne and other areas all over the country.

“The topic has recently been discussed at our partnership meetings to look at how we can deal with it.

“We will be working with immigration agencies and the Department of Health and Social Security as we continue to make efforts to tackle the issue.

“We are also keen to raise awareness and educate local residents and visitors to our area."

In her letter to residents, Sgt Williams said: "Could I politely request that you do not provide subjects with money or food.

"This falls outside Bournemouth council's homelessness strategy and by doing this you are enabling them to continue their behaviour which on occasion has been linked to anti-social behaviour impacting local residents."

Sgt Nicholas said he backed the letter.

“We are fully supportive of the action being taken in Westbourne as we recognise that the local community, which often raises the issue, has a vital role to play in solving the problem," he said.

In January, residents of Charminster called for help to deal with drunks, drug addicts and dealers in the area.

Christopher Spackman, who lives off the main Charminster Road, Bournemouth, says his garden is often used as a toilet and for drug taking.

"The drunks and drug dealers are winning and people like me are having to deal with the hard end of it," he said.

"Every week there are people doing or dealing drugs, getting drunk, and if they aren't shouting at the top of their voices or fighting, they are dumping food and wrappers on the floor."

Other neighbours say broken bottles are often left on the pavement, smashed on the roads or discarded precariously on garden fences.