A CRACKDOWN on anti-social beggars who are drinking and taking drugs in the city centre is being planned.

Glasgow City Council and Police are proposing using CRASBOs, Criminal Anti Social Behaviour Orders, for those who refuse help and support and are causing problems for other people.

The move would see individuals banned from the city centre.

The council said it is not targeting those in genuine need who are not causing problems or committing crime but instead the small minority of beggars who use the city centre as a drinking den or a place to take drugs.

The banning order, which is currently available to the courts, would also include support being provided for the person in the community where they live so they don't need to come into the city centre.

An update has been sent to businesses in the city centre about the plans and the council’s begging strategy.

More than 3600 people and and 165 businesses responded to a council led survey on begging in the city centre and how to tackle it

There are plans for a city centre hub to provide a one stop shop for support for rough sleepers.

An ‘Alternative Giving’ scheme is being considered where businesses and the public can donate money which will be used to target support on the issues like addiction and mental health that many rough sleepers and beggars struggle with.

The city council said there are a small number of people, many who are accommodated elsewhere in the city but who come to the city centre daily to beg and drink and take drugs.

Allan Casey, Chair of the Begging Strategy Short Life Working Group, said: “There is no doubt about the link between poverty and begging.

“People who beg in the city centre are doing so because they are in a desperate state of need.

“Our job is to do whatever we can to put people in need in touch with the support services that can make a difference to their lives.

“We have been working very closely with partners in the third sector to improve the range of services for people who come into the city centre and have complex needs.

“However, unfortunately there is also a very small group of people who routinely reject the support that is available to them.

“This tiny minority is involved in drink or drug fuelled disorder that is causing a disproportionate impact on the people who use the city centre.

“We are very clear that this kind of anti-social behaviour cannot be tolerated."

The begging strategy group includes third sector groups who are providing support for homeless people and rough sleepers including the Simon Community, Marie Trust and Glasgow City Mission as well as city centre business representatives.