It Beggars Belief...

[sp1814]

Worthing council are to fine homeless people who beg £50:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/conservative-council-set-to-fine-homeless-people-50-for-begging-in-worthing-a6971476.html

Is this the best way to tackle the problem?

...and on a practical level...exactly how will homeless people pay the fine. Will they have their assets seized? How much money can be raised from the sale of dirty sleeping bags, string and a mangy dog?

[anotheoldgit]

sp1814

/// I just don't think that fining homeless people is going to be the deterrent that this council wants. ///

If you read your link's headline properly, it does not say they are to fine homeless people per-se but homeless people for begging.

[youngmafbog]

Begging is illegal and, especially aggressive begging, very anti social.

So issue the fine, true down and outs wont be able to pay so no problem, those that make a living out of it can be cleared off the streets,

[jourdain2]

Bazile - he'd obviously read 'The man with the twisted lip' Sherlock Holmes story!

[Answerprancer]

Anneasquith ... yep :-)

[Answerprancer]

Fender, you forgot 'queers' 'spazzes' and 'Jews'.

[EDDIE51]

I have heard from many sources that a beggar with a good pitch can make £200 to £500 a day so £50 is small change.
I remember being approached by a well spoken well dressed lady in Cambridge, she told me she had had her purse stolen and could I give her a £ towards her fare home. I gave her £5 for which she thanked me very politely.
I then went into a cafe close by for a coffee, the staff there told me she was there all day every day and they estimated she made well over £300 a day from the tourists!