EXETER City Council has turned to pavement 'art' in a bid to stop aggressive begging.
Stencilled messages have been sprayed onto the pavement at key spots in Exeter city centre, trying to get across to the public that they don't need to give directly to people who beg.
Daily there have been a number of complaints about unwanted attention from people who persistently beg, often when people are about to enter shops or draw money out of cash dispensers.
Sgt Chris Leisk, beat manager for the city centre, told the Echo: "We deal with six to seven complaints of aggressive begging a day."
It is hoped that the initiative – using biodegradable chalk that washes off after a while – will help explain to members of the public how much support there is for people who sleep rough in the city and how they can help.
Rob Hannaford, lead councillor for housing and customer access, said: "Everybody has a right to come into Exeter to enjoy themselves and not feel intimidated.
"If people realised that there is support in Exeter in terms of emergency accommodation and regular food and drink for people on the street, they may think twice about giving money direct to those who are begging and instead donate to the charities that provide the support."
The initiative is being carried out by Exeter City Council in partnership with Devon and Cornwall Police, Bournemouth Church Housing Association (BCHA) and has the backing of other charities and support agencies in the city.
Among the pavement messages are:
please consider giving directly to charity and not to people who beg www.exeter.gov.uk/begging #exe help
spare change?
have you thought about a local charity? www.exeter.gov.uk/begging #exe help
Cllr Hannaford added: "There are lots of reasons why people beg for money.
"We understand that they may have complex needs and issues such as problematic drug use and this is why we are engaging with them in an appropriate way."
The city council is asking people to instead donate money to a number of charities that work with the homeless in Exeter. One of those is BCHA, who carry out regular checks on rough sleepers in the city offering support and advice alongside the City Council.
Anyone who has seen someone begging or has been a victim of aggressive or intimidating begging can report it to the police by contacting 101.
The Devon Drug and Alcohol Action Team are also backing the campaign. Kristian Tomblin, Drug and Alcohol Team Manager, said: "Any regular visitor to Exeter City Centre will be familiar with many of the faces of people begging on our city's streets. They may also have noticed some new faces over the last year.
"Giving money to people who are begging reinforces this lifestyle choice and makes it more difficult for people to make other healthier choices."
Shops and businesses in Exeter are supporting the initiative: David Shawyer, chairman of the City Centre Management Partnership, said: "Aggressive begging, particularly when shoppers and visitors are about to enter a shop or restaurant or are at a cash point, leaves visitors feeling at best very uncomfortable. We want Exeter to be a welcoming and friendly city, with visitors always wanting to return."
