Police chiefs have pledged to take action on an apparent surge in “aggressive begging ” on the streets of Perth.
City centre traders say their customers are being hassled by growing numbers of homeless men.
Leather and lambskin clothing specialist Colin Proudfoot, who has been trading in South Street for 41 years, said: “We had a 75-year-old lady in our shop, crying her eyes out. She was trying to go down Ropemakers Close to go down to the car park, but was confronted by these drug addicts and she was asked for money.
“She wouldn’t give them any money and she was verbally abused.”
He said: “These guys are hanging around this close, which is worrying because that is a major entry point to the city.
“They’re not just a physical obstruction, it is a psychological obstruction.”
The problem was raised at a meeting of city centre traders earlier this week.
Depute first minister John Swinney, who hosted the talks, said: “This is a key thoroughfare for Perth and people should be allowed to use it without fear of being jostled, intimidated and hassled. If this keeps happening, people are unlikely to park in Canal Street ever again.
“It is certainly something I will take up with Police Scotland.”
City centre councillor Heather Stewart has called for more police foot patrols.
She said: “These vagrants seem to be targeting the old and vulnerable in our community with selective, aggressive begging. They are ignoring the young and able. This is totally unacceptable.”
Ms Stewart said: “Police Scotland is fully aware of the problem and have been contacted by the public on a regular basis, but nothing seems to be happening.”
She added: “I will be writing to Chief Inspector Margaret Pettigrew to ask her to increase foot patrols throughout Perth city centre over the summer months as the problems seem to be exacerbated by the long days and warmer weather.
“In a difficult period for Perth city, this is not the impression we wish to give to our visitors.”
Perth-based inspector Jon Anton said: “‘We can confirm we have received complaints of begging in South Street recently and officers have attended.
“While begging itself is not a crime, the behaviour associated with it can sometimes constitute an offence, if, for example, there was an aggressive, anti-social or even criminal aspect to it.”
He added: “Perth like many other cities is not immune to begging and it can be a problem in the city centre. Members of the public and businesses can become frustrated with beggars choosing to position themselves outside premises, or in doorways.
“Tayside Division will look to ways to resolve these issues in the best interests of all concerned, recognising that that the person who is involved in begging could be better helped by seeking out the assistance of agencies and charitable organisations that are there for them.”
