Police and council urge people not to give money to beggars

Like most towns Stratford has its issues with drugs, begging and rough sleeping, with Warwickshire Police agreeing that the number of people living on the town’s streets has risen over recent months.

The numbers are not huge, but it is an issue that the police are trying to address, working closely with other organisations across the area.

This week the Stratford Herald accompanied police as they patrolled the town, experiencing how they engage with beggers and those living on the town's streets.

Inspector Julia Brealey, from the Stratford Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “The message I would like to give to people in Stratford is not to give money to beggars, it doesn’t help and it doesn’t get people off the streets. It is much better to give money to a homeless charity or to just have a chat with rough sleepers.

“Not all but most of the beggers in Stratford have issues with drugs and nearly all of them actually do have homes or accommodation, but choose to stay on the streets. What we are doing is working with Stratford District Council, social services, Stratford Link, The Recovery Partnership and other groups to try and move people back into a more mainstream lifestyle, where they can take more responsibility for themselves.

“One of the ways we can help them is to stop their income stream.

Sgt Alan Edwards added: “Stratford town centre is a very safe place to be, the general population are very genuine and generous, but there are some people in the town that are taking advantage of the goodwill of residents.

“Stratford ten or even five years ago used to have a problem with antisocial drinking and drinking on the street late at night, but that has largely disappeared. Stratford is a lovely place to be.”

Inspector Brealey explained that when people are seen to be actively begging they are issued with a written warning letter, informing them that it is an offence to beg and that their behaviour is causing alarm and distress.

The letters signpost offenders towards the Stratford Link Project that provides support on a number of issues including substance abuse, housing advice and debt assistance.

Inspector Brealey added: “Ultimately we can issue summons, but we don’t want to criminalise people we want to support them into a more mainstream lifestyle.”

On a patrol across the Tramway Bridge, officers come across Jonas, a 40-year-old rough sleeper originally from Lithuania who has lived on the streets for six years.

Jonas said: “In five years’ time I don’t know if I will be off the streets, it’s sad to say but I just feel lost, I don’t know what I want. I don’t blame anyone else for why I’m here, drugs are probably the main reason I have ended up like this.”

Jonas, who was busking with a guitar, admitted that he thinks he would only be able to survive like this in Stratford and said it was easy to find food in the town.

Elsewhere on the patrol officers met 26-year-old Stacey, who lives on the street with her partner Tim and dog Porro.

Stacey, originally from Bishops Itchington, said she had been living in a property on Joseph’s Way, but had left because of issues with the neighbours.

Stacey said: “I’ve got a job lined up in Bristol so I hope to move there soon, where I’ll have my baby boy. I had to move out of my home because the door has been smashed and it’s just not a safe place to be. I’m sure I will have a place to stay by the time the baby is born. It’s very hard to get accommodation or a place in a B&B because we’ve got a dog.

“Me and my boyfriend busk and I sell dreamcatchers, and I hope to be running my own business in five years’ time. There are beggers who come in to Stratford because it’s seen as a soft touch, but if they stop the beggers crime will go up, they’ll move on to something else.

“I understand why the police want to stop beggars but there are things that do cost money. You have to have water and there are no public taps in Stratford and you have to be able to go to the toilet, people on the streets still have to live.

“There is some help for rough sleepers in Stratford, Recovery are very good and so are the Link, but it would be helpful if there was somewhere to get food, the Salvation Army café has shut down now.”

For more information about The Recovery Partnership and how it can help visit www.cw-recovery.org.uk or to donate to the organisation's efforts in Stratford, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/StratfordTRP