A BEGGING gang is raking in ￡500 a day by posing as homeless in a posh spa town.
The group of around ten men and women travel in a flash Mercedes and by bus to prey on residents and visitors in Bath.
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Members of a begging gang are raking in money by posing as homeless in Bath Credit: Marc Giddings 8
The begging gang travel from Bristol to Bath to harass tourists for cash Credit: Marc Giddings
Armed with near-identical cardboard signs, they take it in turns to occupy prime locations in the city.
After eight hours of begging they head home to a council block in Bristol 12 miles away.
Police believe they may be being exploited by organised criminal groups who force them to hand over their takings.
Officers are limited in what action they can take but can move people suspected of anti-social behaviour on — ordering they do not return for up to 48 hours — and also issue fines.
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But any fines that are meted out often go unpaid.
The Sun watched the Bath gang as they worked their con in the city — famed for its Abbey, Roman Baths and Georgian architecture.
One placed his designer-looking leather satchel behind him, removed his shoes and sat on a blanket as people filed past.
At lunchtime, two of the women, one pregnant, relaxed on a bench in the warm sun.
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They were joined by two male beggars and a third man in trendy glasses, denim jacket and jeans who was not seen to join in panhandling.
Later, we saw one gang member driven off in a blue Mercedes with personalised number plate.
Three others took an X-39 bus to inner city Bristol, followed by two men and two women on a different bus.
Police estimate “professional beggars” can make more than ￡50 a day.
That means the gang could be clearing ￡500 a day — ￡10,000 a month — or more if they go out on weekends and evenings.
They believe many regular beggars in central Bath who claim to be homeless rake in more than workers by preying on the public’s better nature.
An official Big Issue seller in the city said: “They take money away from genuinely homeless people.
“I see people put ￡20 in their laps then walk straight past me.
“It’s not right.
“The police should do something.”
Bath police said they were working with the council to tackle street begging and ensure those in genuine need are offered help.
A spokeswoman said: “We have brought to court people who took advantage of the goodwill of residents and visitors by begging and claiming to be homeless, despite being in housing and receiving benefits.
“Officers are concerned that vulnerable people are being exploited by organised criminal groups who bus them in to beg in busy city centres across the country, including Bath, and force them to hand over their takings.
“Police recommend that if you want to help people in need you give to charities offering support services rather than to individuals.”
In March, PM Rishi Sunak announced plans for legislation to prevent beggers causing “public distress” and target gangs behind networks.
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Bath police said they were working with the council to tackle street begging Credit: Marc Giddings 8
An official Big Issue seller in Bath said of the gangs: 'They take money away from genuinely homeless people' Credit: Marc Giddings 8
Begging gangs could be making upwards of ￡500 a day Credit: Marc Giddings 8
Two of the Bristol-based beggars were snapped on their return from Bath Credit: Marc Giddings Picked up in a flashy Merc ONE gang member pitched up outside a Timpson’s — before later leaving in a Mercedes.
He had worn a black puffa jacket, jeans and a beanie hat — despite it being a pleasant 22C in the sunshine — and took a rug out of his rucksack to cover his legs.
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One gang member was pitched up outside a Timpson’s Credit: Marc Giddings 8
The beggar later left the scene in a Mercedes
He then placed a pre-made cardboard sign and Costa coffee cup in front of himself.
After a few hours collecting money, he walked off and got in a flashy blue Mercedes with a personalised number plate.