IT is a bold claim to make. Jane Mowat, of York Safer Partnership, wants to make the city 'beggar free'.

If this can be achieved - and it is a big if - residents and visitors will be very grateful.

Begging has become a serious problem in recent years. The number of people asking for money on York streets has noticeably increased.

We have also witnessed the rise of the aggressive beggar: one who does not merely rely on emotional blackmail to open our wallets, but frightens folk into paying up.

The new initiative is largely based on a simple principle. Stop people giving to beggars and they will go away.

Secure money boxes are to be set up allowing people to donate to charity. They offer people a chance to help the homeless in a constructive way

This also delineates between helping people who are truly adrift on the streets and the 'professional' beggars who travel from home for a day's dip into honeypot York.

Perhaps most significantly, the police and benefit office staff are to embark on a joint crackdown on those demanding money.

The case of Jeffrey Ward, the beggar who is constantly in and out of prison, shows how difficult it can be to stop begging.

We hope this initiative can succeed where others have failed.

Updated: 11:15 Thursday, October 28, 2004