Special 'giving boxes' to be introduced in clampdown on Edinburgh's begging problem

City council chiefs are looking at the move as part of a range of new measures to tackle the problem.

Under the scheme, people would be encouraged to donate money via the boxes instead of giving directly, with the proceeds then being passed on to homeless charities.

It comes after concern about the growing number of beggars on the streets in some parts of the city and calls for a ban. In a new council report, community safety officials said the boxes could be installed in hotspot areas - but a similar scheme has already been trialled unsuccessfully by Aberdeen City Council.

• Do you support plans for 'giving boxes' to help reduce street begging?

Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, the housing and homelessness charity, said: "It is important to always remember that beggars are not necessarily homeless. Aggressive begging should not be tolerated - but some people beg because they feel they have no choice. Begging is a minor inconvenience and a symbol of national shame.

"Introducing begging boxes wouldn't necessarily stop people begging, it would just be a convenient way to sweep the problem under the carpet."

Street begging is illegal in England and Wales but not in Scotland. Antisocial behaviour orders can be issued to aggressive beggars if there is enough evidence but there has only ever been one Asbo handed out in Edinburgh, in 2006.

Any attempt by a council to outlaw begging would require Scottish Government approval to pass a bylaw, but Aberdeen failed in such a bid in 2004.

Edinburgh Tory councillor Joanna Mowat, convener of the city centre neighbourhood partnership, said: "The issue of begging on the street is a big part of my mailbox and the vast majority of people are against it. Anecdotal evidence suggests most beggars are not homeless and there is a magnet in the city centre for organised gangs.

"But I'm not sure that begging boxes will tackle the root of the problem."

Council community safety officials compiled a report on begging in Morningside after concerns from residents.

In a two-month study involving 72 visits to Morningside Road, there were 170 sightings of beggars. Some were said to be dropped off and collected regularly from a white Mercedes van that is owned by someone who lives in Fife.

As well as recommending a feasibility study for the "giving boxes" as part of a city-wide approach, officials also recommended trying to secure funding for a part-time project worker to engage with, support and assist beggars.

A city council spokesman said: "Complaints regarding begging are low and where there are issues we have a co-ordinated approach thanks to joined-up work with our partners in the police, health and voluntary sector. This local neighbourhood report has highlighted possible options for dealing with any local issues."