Police on Tyneside are rounding up street beggars after complaints from traders and tourists.

Northumbria Police says the growing problem in Newcastle is hitting city centre shops and putting off visitors.

The force has teamed up with drug and alcohol abuse specialists to clear streets of people who they claim are begging to feed addictions.

The city's pilot scheme will see anyone found begging immediately referred to an addiction rehabilitation centre.

Your impression of a city can change when you are faced with this kind of thing Bob Senior, Ultimate Leisure

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: "Enforcement alone does not work without education and treatment.

"By providing support to those who need help, we are helping to fight drug addiction in the city centre while reassuring the public that the city centre is a safe and friendly place to live, work and visit.

"Of the people we arrest, the vast majority are not homeless. They are arrested, charged and appear before magistrates.

"If they were homeless they would be remanded in custody, but that is not the case as they are bailed.

"It is a fallacy that these people are homeless.

"They pick their areas very carefully and on an average Friday or Saturday night can get �80 or so from begging."

High trade

Bob Senior, managing director of pub and club group Ultimate Leisure, said: "It is a serious problem for us and our customers.

"These people target our premises because of the high trade that pubs in the city get, especially during weekends.

"Your impression of a city can change when you are faced with this kind of thing.

"I think what the police are doing here at the moment is certainly going to help us and our customers in Newcastle."

The Newcastle scheme involves street beggars being taken to police stations and referred to members of Turning Point - a government-backed national organisation providing services for people with needs arising from alcohol and drugs abuse.

Police say that in the period from August 2002 to January 2003 there were 73 arrests in Newcastle city centre, with many more people asked to move on.