City centre manager Annette Joyce backs the scheme
|
A scheme to discourage people from giving money to beggars has begun in Cambridge.
The "Make It Count" initiative involves offering the public a different way of helping the homeless.
Instead of giving direct to beggars, Cambridge City Council wants people to donate to suitable charities through a collection box scheme.
Collection boxes are to be installed from next week in several locations, including the Tourist Information Centre and Grafton Centre, the Corn Exchange, and Marks and Spencer.
The council said the boxes will allow the public to give money to Cambridge homeless organisations, knowing their donation will be used positively to count and make a difference to those who really need it.
Beggars are set to be arrested
|
The plan also aims to discourage begging on the city's streets.
The scheme is backed by a range of homeless groups, businesses, the police and the YMCA.
Cambridge's city centre manager Annette Joyce said: "This time of year we are very busy with shoppers and visitors and you can sometimes see the number of aggressive begging escalating.
"Some of these people might not actually be in need. Now we can give the money to causes that really do need the finances to fight homelessness."
One-Minute World News
News services
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version
