THE begging problem is getting worse, and is being ignored by police and councils.

Unless the Victorian Vagrancy Act has been cancelled, it must surely be an offence.

At least one regular “beggar” in Middlesbrough is actually a “professional” – a different person altogether when out on the town socially. He appears to have a beggar’s costume outfit and a pleading voice to match.

I’m not suggesting these characters simply get kicked into the nearest street – this obviously serves no useful purpose.

Each needs proper in depth grilling: are you unemployed? In receipt of benefit? An income and expense list/an ongoing dope/booze habit they refuse to deal with, and benefits won’t cover – hence the begging?

I believe compulsory rehab for dopeheads/serious alcoholics is many decades overdue, otherwise there is not a hope in hell of cleansing the streets of these intimidating folks.

This should be history, not a 21st Century escalating problem.

I don’t have a problem with high street busking, provided it’s licensed and for a charitable cause, not personal cash, otherwise it’s no more than “musical begging” – often overdone in Stockton.

There were two buskers, plus a Scots piper, drowning each other out, a few days ago – a rather pointless exercise.

GB Butler, Stockton-on-Tees.