The Victorian police have started “cracking down’ on homeless people who beg for change on Melbourne streets
It’s claimed that the police have even “confiscated” the money given to beggars.
Why on earth is it ILLEGAL to ask people for money on the street in Victoria?
A charity group says they have witnessed police taking begging cups from destitute people who are sleeping rough.
Melanie Raymond from the outreach organisation “Youth Projects”, has told The Guardian that there’s been a 40% rise in the number of people sleeping rough in the city in the past year alone.
Now it seems beggars are being fined by Police but have no way of paying the penalties.
Police have denied seizing beggars cash but admit they are charging them with offences and forcing them to appear in court.
What sort a heartless society have we become.
See Guardian article here
See also: Begging should not be a crime
It is currently not a crime to beg in NSW.