The number of beggars on the streets of Nottingham has reduced by 85%, according to figures released by the city council. A concerted effort to cut the number of beggars was an aim of the Respect for Nottingham campaign.
This included the Diverted Giving Scheme which set up donation boxes to enable people to be charitable without handing over money to beggars.
Street wardens have also been used to move beggars from cash machines.
The �2.2m Respect for Nottingham initiative, launched last October, is aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour and improving the appearance of the city's streets and neighbourhoods. Regular patrols are used to count the number of beggars on a weekday, a weekday evening and all weekend.
The number of beggars spotted in a nine-hour patrol over these three days fell from 26 in July 2003 to just four in January 2004.
Home Office Minister Hazel Blears visited the city on Monday.
She said: "The vast majority of people want to come to Nottingham for shopping, having a drink or with the family.
"They don't want to be accosted by a stream of beggars, which can be intimidating and very unpleasant.
"And the evidence is now overwhelming that the money given to beggars very often goes to drug dealers."
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(People) don't want to be accosted by a stream of beggars, which can be intimidating and very unpleasant 
