Wakefield Council has launched a consultation on proposals to use anti-social behaviour legislation to tackle ‘aggressive’ begging.

The local authority said that if enough people feel begging was an issue in the town they would set-up a Public Spaces Protection Order to give the police more powers to stop it.

‘We have had reports from residents and businesses that people are being persistently harassed by aggressive beggars in our city and town centres,’ said Cllr Maureen Cummings, cabinet member for environment and communities.

‘We are carrying out this consultation as we want to know people's views and I'd like to ask as many people as possible to take part in the consultation and to share their thoughts.

‘We will carefully consider all the feedback that we receive and decide if any action needs to be taken.’

The use of PSPOs have been criticised in the past. Charities warned some councils were using them to target people who were not engaged in anti-social behaviour.

In order to discourage this, the Government issued new guidance which emphasised that councils must consult the police and community representatives before issuing PSPOs.