A senior York policeman today urged people not to give money directly to beggars or the homeless in the city.

Inspector Tim Madgwick, commander of the city centre area, said that the majority would only spend any donations on drugs, particularly heroin.

Insp Madgwick's comments come the day after a high-profile advertising campaign was announced by the Government aimed at discouraging the public from giving money to beggars.

"I would be far happier if people gave money to a local charity rather than directly to people on the streets," he said.

"That sort of funding is far more constructive and could help these people out of their drug problem."

Insp Madgwick said research carried out by York police in the past few weeks showed that the majority, but not all of those begging or playing tin whistles in the street, were drug users.

Some were known to take as much as £100 a day from passers-by.

He said he did not wish to take away a source of income from genuinely needy people or from genuine busking musicians, but that all homeless people would benefit from increased funding for local drug and homeless charities.

"There are some very needy cases who need help but there are a considerable number of people who have made a conscious choice to be on the streets, because they can feed their habit while getting accommodation and meals from local charities," Insp Madgwick said.

He added that his officers had and would continue to take firm action against offenders who were begging which is against the law or causing an obstruction.

Steve Hamer, chief executive of York-based drug treatment service Compass, which is a charity, said they were always delighted to accept donations of money from the public.

He said money could be used to provide a range of services for drug users and their families.

"We can use the money in a positive way, and we can spend it to the benefit of a large number of people, rather than just one individual," said Mr Hamer.

david.wiles@ycp.co.uk