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Edinburgh Aggressive Beggar ASBO

Area

Edinburgh

Intelligence - what was the nature of the antisocial behaviour?

An aggressive beggar - repeated incidents of assault and threatening behaviour towards workers and residents in city centre. Abusive (including racist comments) to passers by, users of St Andrew Square bus station and general intimidation and harassment.

Involvement - which partners were involved?

Local Authority – ASBIT
Lothian & Borders Police

Intervention(s) - which intervention(s) were used and why? Implementation - how were the intervention methods realised in practice?

An ASBO was considered the most appropriate way of trying to address the antisocial behaviour. 

A number of complaints were received from businesses in particular areas of Edinburgh (i.e. Princes Street, Rose Street, Castle Street) and their trade was being affected as result of the behaviour of the individual. A number of complainants were caused alarm and distress by the perpetrator’s behaviour, and were in fear of his actions/further reprisals.

Despite intervention by the police, including various charges for breach of the peace, the person did not improve their behaviour.

Impact - what were the outcomes for the perpetrator, the victims and the wider community?

He has been banned from areas around the city centre where, the council say, he has caused distress, fear and alarm to people in shops and also around the bus station.

This is the type of antisocial behaviour that Edinburgh council is determined to address and they are confident that this ASBO will bring respite to people working and visiting the city centre.

The Defender has since breached the ASBO (just days after it was granted) and as a result has been sentenced to 2 months imprisonment, after harassing and verbally abusing people in the bus station.

Are there any practices/experiences you have gained during this Intervention that would influence the handling of future Interventions?

An ASBO may not be suitable in all cases when dealing with beggars and each case should be assessed on an individual basis. However this case related to a particularly aggressive beggar causing high levels of alarm & distress to businesses, residents and passers by in Edinburgh.

Any further cases for beggars will need to be examined on their merits and consideration given to behaviour that accompanies the begging.

Contact

Kenny Black
ASBIT (Edinburgh LA)
www.edinburgh.gov.uk

More information about this type of intervention

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