Council’s posters urging people to stop giving money to beggars are banned – because they might offend

CONTROVERSIAL posters encouraging locals to stop giving beggars money have been banned for being likely to cause widespread offence and reinforcing negative stereotypes.

The Advertising Standards Authority stepped in after seven people complained the adverts portrayed homeless people in a derogatory manner and implied that all homeless people are engaged in criminal and anti-social behaviour.

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The posters, put up by Nottingham City Council, included phrases such as “watch your money go to a fraud” and “watch your money go up in smoke”.

The #GiveSmart campaign was launched over concerns money given directly to beggars is used to fuel addictions.

The posters were erected in a bid to encourage people to give to charities that have the power to provide support.

Despite this, the campaign was slammed online.

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Earlier this year, Drew McGowan wrote on Facebook: “Nottingham City Council's new #GiveSmart campaign is utterly reprehensible - shamelessly demonises the homeless.”

Similarly, Laure Giles wrote: “Outrageous #GiveSmart campaign from Nottingham City Council that stigmatises the #homeless.

“What century is it?”

And Ed Henderson vented: “@MyNottingham really?

“I think you need a visit from #RobinHood

“You ought to be ashamed of yourselves.”

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In a press release from the city council following the campaign launch earlier this year, leader Jon Collins said: "Community Protection and the police are continually taking action against a small number of persistent beggars who can sometimes be aggressive.

“Many of these individuals appear to be 'rough sleeping' when they have already been provided with accommodation and use the money to feed their lifestyle.

"These professional beggars can make up to £800 a day and have in the past waved notes in front of officers."

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Nottingham homelessness charity Framework said that while giving cash to beggars is “commendable”, it isn’t always the best course of action.

Spokesman Dave Smith told the : “The thought behind this action is entirely commendable, but in most cases it really isn't the best way to help somebody in need – whether they are genuinely rough sleeping or not.

"Indeed, in a great many cases it can actually do more harm than good.

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"In Nottingham we know that most people who beg are not sleeping rough, but this doesn't mean they don't need or deserve help.

“They absolutely do.

"In most cases people who beg are experiencing lives that few of us would envy – living in unsuitable, unstable or unsafe accommodation and coping with addictions, mental and physical health problems."

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