A team of Special Constables joined colleagues from Chester Inner Neighbourhood Policing Unit and made a number of arrests.

Special Sgt Richard Hankin, who oversaw the operation, said: "We have received several reports of people being intimidated by beggars in the city centre and wanted to do something to take steps to enable people to enjoy the city without fear.

"The initiative should send a message to others that police in Chester will not tolerate any form of intimidatory behaviour."

Four men will now appear before Chester, Ellesmere Port and Neston magistrates and will also be offered referrals to partner agencies in an effort to assist with any issues they might be experiencing.

Special Sgt Hankin added: "This is not a case of officers simply looking to make arrests. The initiative was also about looking to help those on the streets and to perhaps address some of the issues which have led them to begging in the first place."

The action was part of a programme of tactics from Chester Inner NPU aimed at addressing issues surrounding homelessness, vagrancy and any associated criminal activity.

Alcohol is often a contributory factor and Insp Mel Williams is seeking to address the issue with retailers in the city.

"Every week we are recovering large quantities of alcohol from members of the homeless community in Chester," he said.

"This alcohol is a major contributing factor to crime and disorder associated with vagrancy and we are seeking to address this by working with retailers to restrict the supply of alcohol to the homeless.

"We have approached all retailers in the city and asked them not to sell alcohol to vagrants. The response has been fantastic and all have been extremely supportive of the idea.

"However, this is not about marginalising homeless people in Chester.
As an NPU, and as a force, we are extremely supportive and will be looking to carry out further work to improve liaison between the police and homeless people.

"But we cannot ignore the minority who, having consumed alcohol, go on to commit criminal and intimidatory acts. We have a duty to protect the public and to make Chester a place which people can enjoy without fear of crime or intimidation.

"While there are those who insist on making life difficult for others, whether homeless or not, we will continue putting in place tactics which address their behaviour and work to remove them from the city."

* Four men were charged with begging and one was also accused of a
racially aggravated Section Five public order offence.