Aggressive begging will be dealt with "robustly"

The move on Friday follows more complaints from shops that persistent beggars are driving away customers.

As well as moving beggars on, they will offer to help find people food and accommodation, though aggressive beggars will be "robustly" dealt with.

But Sector Inspector Gavin Tempest said: "There may be cases of genuine social need when it is our role to make sure we can get the person access to the right support services."

He said that Police Community Support Officers would first assess the needs of those beggars and offer appropriate help.

Then they would be moved on and given notice not to continue with their behaviour.

"If this is not acted on, the person will be arrested", he said.