Beggars deterring people from visiting Chesterfield town centre, woman claims
Council chiefs have insisted they are working with police to tackle begging in Chesterfield town centre.
Chesterfield Borough Council commented after a woman contacted the Derbyshire Times to raise concerns about people asking for money at the Rose Hill car park.
The woman, who did not want to be identified, said: “I used to be a very frequent visitor to the town but over the last few months I’ve noticed a worrying increase in people begging right next to the car park paying machine.
“This has been the case every time I’ve used the car park and it is extremely unacceptable that the council isn’t doing more to address the problem.
“I and others I know have now stopped going into town unless essential, preferring to use the retail parks.
“This isn’t to do with their free car parking but the absence of illegal and anti-social behaviour that you have to witness and unfortunately experience when visiting the town centre.
“It’s even more disgusting that the council is putting the parking charges up from April and not doing anything to prevent this intimidating behaviour to people visiting the town.”
Councillor Kate Sarvent, the council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, responded: “I understand the concerns raised and I can confirm that the council continues to work closely with the police to investigate any reports of begging in the area.
“Chesterfield Borough Council and Derbyshire police are working together to enforce the Public Spaces Protection Order in Chesterfield town centre. The aim of this is to deter anti-social behaviour, address aggressive begging and to provide help and support to vulnerable members of the community.
“The council will continue to work with partners to find ways of effectively tackling anti-social behaviour and begging.”
She added: “Councillors approved a small increase in the charges to park in our town centre car parks from April 1.
“These are the first increases for two years but for a third year running we will continue to offer a special discount of three hours’ parking for £3 to encourage people to shop local and use our town centre shops and businesses.”