Abusive Melbourne beggars put on notice for harassing, spitting on people

Aggressive beggars working in tandem are verbally abusing and spitting on people in the inner city.

Beggars in Melbourne CBD. NO BYLINE

AGGRESSIVE beggars working in tandem are verbally abusing and spitting on people in the inner city, says a report.

Members of a small group of professional beggars routinely meet on the fringes of the CBD and then break into pairs or groups of three to work in certain streets.

A joint report by the Melbourne City Council and the Salvation Army said these aggro beggars generally rejected help and were best dealt with by the police.

“They tend to target females and international visitors, blocking the path of the person they are targeting until they extract money,” it said.

“If the person does not comply by giving money they are verbally abused and in some instances have been spat on or physically assaulted.”

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The Salvation Army’s Major Brendan Nottle said the beggars live in rooming houses or other private rental accommodation, and meet up at locations such as the area bounded by Spring, Lonsdale and Exhibition streets.

“Sometimes they pool their money, buy drugs and then take drugs together,” he said.

“In some cases their behaviour is not begging, it’s actually bordering on robbery and is clearly a police matter.”

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle also wants these aggressive beggars dealt with by the police, saying that council resources should focus on helping genuinely vulnerable people in need.

“We are developing a full spectrum approach to this issue,” he said.

Major Nottle called for a dedicated mental health outreach program to help beggars.