POLICE are advising residents and shoppers in the district not to give money to beggars.

They say some shoppers and workers are being intimidated by groups that congregates outside the banks, shops and bars in Withington.

Police are giving warnings to those found begging and are offering support to them through homeless shelters and other voluntary and statutory organisations.

Inspector Dave Nutsey from Didsbury Neighbourhood Policing Team - which covers Withington - said: "There has been an issue for several years now with people gathering around shops and participating in anti-social behaviour such as drinking or drug taking. This can be very intimidating for local residents and can put them off visiting the shops.

"I would urge people to be extra vigilant before handing over their money to beggars. If you do want to donate, I advise going through a legitimate charity who will distribute the money to outreach workers, enabling them to provide homeless people with the services that they need to help turn their lives around."

Police are working with partner agencies including Counted In, and homeless shelter, Direct Access. In some instances further action has been taken and to date, police have made four arrests and issued six court summons.

Insp Nutsey said: "The Neighbourhood Policing Team is committed to improving the quality of life for those who work and live in Withington, and this includes ensuring that people feel comfortable visiting their local shop without fear or intimidation. We also want to help the people we find begging and are therefore offering them the relevant support to assist them in changing their lifestyle." Roger Smith, chairman of Withington Civic Society, agreed that there is a problem with begging in Withington.

He said: "Some of the beggars can be quite aggressive. They tend to congregate outside the banks and many of the shops and restaurants and it can be quite distressing.

"A lot of people do feel charitable and give money, but some of them can be menacing. There is the help there from the authorities and charities so really there is no need for anyone to be sitting on a cold wet pavement to beg for money."

Withington councillor Alison Firth said: "We’ve been calling for action for years because begging can be a deterrent to shoppers and workers coming in to the village to go about their business."

A spokesperson for Withington Traders’ Association said: "Begging is a huge problem in Withington and we are glad that an effort is now being made to do something about it.

"While there is a huge sigh of sympathy for people that are homeless, we believe that these particular vagrants have been offered accommodation.

"People are often very generous, but begging causes a depression of Withington in deterring shoppers and we do hear about students being assaulted by aggressive beggars.

"The traders’ association supports the police in thinking that people should not to give money to beggars because it’s uncontrolled and can be counter-productive.

"There is the access for homeless people to get what they need, and the council has collection boxes for people to be able to donate money."