Aggressive street beggars from Romania are intimidating shoppers in the centre of St Andrews, it has been claimed.
Complaints have been made to Police Scotland about beggars approaching people for money in the town centre, and if they refuse, it is claimed people have been spat at.
Now the police and Fife Council are being put under pressure to take further action as police confirmed two beggars have recently been charged and three others arrested in connection with their alleged behaviour.
It came as a councillor called for “sympathy” towards some street beggars, some of whom, he said, are destitute.
It has also been pointed out that street begging in itself in Scotland is not illegal.
The impact of European migrants was raised at this month’s meeting of St Andrews Community Council on Monday night.
Town centre businesswoman Lindsay Adam, who as chairwoman of the town’s merchants association is a co-opted member of the community council, said: “I am in town all the time and see people.
“For some it’s not a career choice, but others I’m highly suspicious of.”
Councillor Brian Thomson said that if someone was being aggressive then clearly it was a matter for the police however, he also suggested beggars deserved sympathy.
He said: “We should look at the causes of people having to beg on the streets rather than hounding them.”
Sergeant Pat Turner told The Courier: “Following complaints from the public about persons begging in St Andrews town centre, local community officers have subsequently charged two persons with aggressive and intimidating behaviour and arrested three others in connection with other associated offences.
“Officers continue to work with Fife public space CCTV and local business to tackle the anti-social and often intimidating behaviour adopted by these individuals and Police Scotland would like to thank the public for their help in reporting these incidents and subsequently identifying those responsible.”
Council executive spokesperson for community, health and wellbeing, Gavin Yates, said: “Poverty is the scourge of our society.
“We are investing in many services to help and a new Fairer Fife Commission is being set up to give us a better understanding of what we can do to prevent people having to beg on our streets.”