London: It literally pays to beg on the
streets in Britain, particularly in these times of salary cuts
as collections can be as much as 200 pounds a night.
The police have discovered several cases of
professionals who have suffered major salary cuts begging on
the streets at night to supplement their falling incomes from
day jobs.
One woman in the east Midlands town of Leicester
admitted that she begged at night after her office job, so
that she could pay for a new kitchen in her flat.
According to the Leicester police, street beggars are
collecting almost 200 pound a night, which amounts to an
annual salary of 73,000 pounds – and that too, tax free.
In July, the police arrested 20 beggars on the streets
of Leicester, none of whom were homeless. Sergeant Adrian
Underwood, of Leicestershire police, said some beggars were
collecting 200 pounds a night tax free.
He said: "On a good Friday or Saturday night some can
make up to 200 pounds. We have intelligence that there is a
woman who is begging because she wants a new kitchen for her
flat".
Underwood added: "A lot of well-intentioned people see
someone begging and think they are deserving causes. Would
they give them money if they knew that person had just come
out of a flat, was receiving benefits and had food in the
larder?"
Toni Soni, head of hostel services at Leicester City
Council, said previous operations by the authority and police
had found no beggars to be homeless.
He said: "There are people who are actually
professional beggars who are doing it to make a living."
Councillor Patrick Kitterick, whose Castle ward
includes the Leicester city centre, said: "Our information is
that most, if not all, the people who are begging have
accommodation."
Bureau Report
First Published: Wednesday, August 12, 2009, 18:25