Persistent beggars in Exeter are being targeted by police, who're urging the public not to give them money.
Officers are working with the city council's outreach team .. who've spent the last six months identifying who's on the streets, and working with them to find out why.
The team say the beggars concerned have accommodation and are claiming benefits, but use the money to feed drug and alcohol addictions - for which they're being offered help by specialist local services.
Anyone who does want to help the beggars is asked not to give them money on the streets, but to donate through Exeter's Alternative Giving Scheme www.eci.org.uk
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