Walsall Council leader claims four in five street beggars in the borough are 'not homeless'

Walsall Council leader Councillor Garry Perry says the council is "not seeking to criminalise homelessness" but says the public should not give money directly to street beggars in Walsall.

The announcement came as new research from Shelter showed that nationally at least 354,000 people in England, including 161,500 children, will spend Christmas without a home, an increase of 14%, 44,500 people, in one year. In the West Midlands, 26,420 people are estimated to be homeless with a further 1,562 living in emergency temporary accommodation. 

“We are not seeking to criminalise homelessness or street begging, but we do want to eliminate exploitation and nuisance," he said. 

"We recognise that some individuals may engage in street begging to help meet immediate needs, even though they may already be in accommodation. Investigations have revealed that 84% of those seen regularly begging on Walsall streets in recent months do in fact have accommodation and are not homeless. All the remaining individuals have been referred to the council’s rough sleeping outreach team who have provided offers of temporary accommodation to prevent them from needing to sleep rough in the winter months.

“Rather than giving to anyone street begging, we recommend alternative ways of giving so the public can be confident their kind donations help assist people in genuine need and do not exacerbate challenges and risks associated with crime, drug and alcohol addiction.

“By giving money directly to someone begging on the streets, this can contribute to existing struggles, potentially impacting their health and increasing their need for support. We know that the public want to support, which is why we have developed an initiative to help encourage people to give in a different way, so they can be sure they are assisting those facing genuine challenges."

In a statement, the authority says it has accommodated 46 rough sleepers while providing extra support to over 100 others in maintaining their tenancies, as part of a £1.8 million annual spend on tackling homelessness. The council added that it is committed to addressing homelessness and rough sleeping by providing stable accommodation, support, and other essential services. 

When asked how the figures were compiled, the council responded that it takes a "multi-agency approach" to monitoring reports of street begging in the borough.

"Individuals observed to be begging are proactively approached and if required, offered assistance with essential items or accommodation. As part of community protection and safeguarding arrangements, data is recorded and reviewed of those who are approached," said a spokesperson for Walsall Council.

“The council works with each individual to develop action plans, with the aim of helping to ensure that no individual needs to beg or sleep rough in Walsall.”