Hammersmith & Fulham Council in 'blitz on Shepherds Bush street beggars' » Housing » 24dash.com

Aggressive street beggars in Shepherds Bush have been slapped with anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) after more than 80 per cent of residents polled said they were a blight.

Four of the most prolific offenders - Paul Brown, Winston Wright, Raymond Watson and Gerry McDonagh - have all been handed ASBOs banning them from the area.

Witnesses reported being harassed at ATMs and Tube stations and having to endure screaming and shouting if they refused to hand over cash.
Beggars in the area have been know to follow, particularly female, residents down the street demanding money as well as openly using drink and drugs in front of passers-by including children. McDonagh and Brown were also regularly found rough sleeping.

Residents identified the aggressive street begging as one of the top two priorities in the annual Shepherds Bush Green ward survey.

Councillor Greg Smith, H&F Council Cabinet Member for Crime & Anti-Social Behaviour, said: “We cannot turn a blind eye to aggressive beggars who demand money while high on drink or drugs.

"This can be extremely distressing for law-abiding residents and by banishing these four from the area we are taking another step towards making Shepherds Bush a nicer place for residents and visitors.”

The Shepherds Bush Green 24/7 Beat Policing Squad - which is jointly funded by the Police, H&F Council and local businesses - identified the beggars with the most ‘chaotic and disruptive lifestyles’ that had the most negative impact on others.

The main conditions for most of the beggars include:

• A ban on entering Shepherds Bush Green Ward and for McDonagh and Browne the whole of H&F.
• Sitting or standing within five yards of any ATM cash machine in Greater London, except when in possession of a current cash card in their name.
• Begging in any public place within the M25.
• Being in possession of any needle, syringe or smoking pipe in any public place within the M25 motorway.

Sergeant Finbar King said: “We know that these four beggars were having a disproportionately negative affect on the area and it is good news that they have now been banned from the area.”

The four beggars now face time behind bars if they breach the conditions of the ASBOs.

Councillor Smith added: “These beggars have been unwilling to take up the support offered by the council and police over a long period of time and now we are left with no other choice than to ban them from the area.”