 Beggars can pose as Big Issue sellers |
A list of tricks used by beggars is being published by Nottingham City Council. It hopes to reduce the city's begging problem over the busy Christmas period.
The council says money handed over to beggars usually ends up in the pockets of drug dealers.
It is running a publicity campaign to inform people of beggars' tactics.
Among the tricks being highlighted are:
- Falsely claiming to be homeless
- Crying or pretending to be upset
- Posing as a legitimate Big Issue seller
- Pretending to need money for petrol or a bus or train fare
City Council Leader, Jon Collins, said: "It is very hard not to help when you see someone on the street who appears to be in distress or when you are approached by someone with what seems to be a valid reason for needing cash. "However, it is a sad fact that the vast majority of people who do this will be desperate for cash to spend on hard drugs... so in reality, the only people who will really benefit from your generosity are the drug dealers."
One-Minute World News 
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