Walsall Council Pursues Action Against ‘Organised Begging Groups’

Legal measures are being sought to address individuals who operate in teams to solicit money despite not having a genuine need, according to the leader of Walsall Council. A scrutiny meeting of the authority revealed that council officials are aiming to dismantle “organised” groups active in the town centre. Council leader Garry Perry remarked, “There’s legitimate beggars and legitimate people in need, and illegitimate ones,” adding that shopkeepers have been providing intelligence. One shopper informed the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that the begging was intimidating and that drugs were a problem. West Midlands Police stated that officers conduct “regular patrols” in the town centre to target anti-social behaviour. Mr. Perry, a Conservative, indicated that Station Street is among the areas of concern and explained, “The hope is we’ll get the relevant order that will ban them from the town centre.” Nevertheless, he conceded that disrupting this activity could be difficult. Jeff, a 44-year-old shopper from Walsall, told LDRS it was challenging to “move 10 feet without being asked for change”. He commented: “I think it’s quite intimidating. Especially for older people. Drug use is an issue as well. People approach me every day for money and cigarettes.” However, Usman Khalid, a worker employed in the town centre since 2019, reported that he has not been affected. “There are a lot of beggars here but we don’t have any problems,” he clarified. A council spokesperson affirmed that the authority is working to resolve the issue. They stated, “The council’s approach focuses on connecting vulnerable individuals with the services they require while also ensuring public spaces remain safe and welcoming for all.”