BEGGARS claiming to be homeless on the streets of York are largely a bunch of cheats who con people into parting with their cash, according to the city's police.

Homeless Paul on the streets of York. "Today I have made £10, which is about average," he said.

They say recent undercover operations revealed the city is seen as a 'soft touch' and is attracting benefit fraudsters from across the country, who are making up to £80 a day.

But charity workers today sprang to the defence of genuine beggars, saying by no means all people on York's streets were scroungers.

Detective Chief Inspector John Lacy said police were concerned about high levels of illegal drug use on city streets. Plain-clothes officers had followed beggars into shops and seen them exchange their day's takings of coins for up to £80 worth of notes.

"Basically what we are saying is that the majority of beggars in York are cheats and many of those claiming to be homeless do have homes and are receiving benefits," said DCI Lacy.

"Many of them are not York people but travel here to cheat honest people out of their cash because the city has a reputation for generosity."

But those who say they are living on the streets tell a different story.

Paul has been on the council's housing list for three months but is still homeless - and says he is unable to claim any benefit until he has an address.

He admits there are people begging who have homes but says the majority are genuine and it is very rare that anyone makes £50 begging or playing music.

"Today I have made £10, which is about average," he said.

"I am not signed on and I am sleeping in a car park until the council can find me somewhere.

"It costs you more to buy food when you live on the street because you have to go to Burger King or something for a hot meal - you can't just bulk buy cheap stuff at the supermarket.

"I don't take drugs but I do understand why other people on the street turn to them or to drink - they just need something inside them."

A spokeswoman for the homeless charity Shelter said each case needed to be treated individually.

"There are real cases of hardship and it is a shame that one person who's ripping people off should give them a bad name," she said.

Police admit there are few genuine cases, but quote the story of a smartly dressed young man, who they watched get off a train from Bradford and transform himself into a beggar earlier this week.

"He had a couple of blankets with him and he sat outside the Royal York Hotel with one of them over his head," said DCI Lacy.

"Within 20 minutes he had made £16 - and that young man was in receipt of benefit and cheating the system and so could be charged with going equipped to cheat.

"We have also executed two warrants as a result of intelligence gathered through our inquiries and have arrested two people after recovering drugs and stolen property."

But they say the do want to ensure those facing genuine hardship are put in touch with the services available.

see COMMENT 'Police unmask bogus beggars'

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.