THE city council are being asked to do more to prevent begging and street drinking in Winchester amidst complaints from visitors to the city.

The issue was put to Winchester City Council Cabinet members during a meeting on November 23 by former councillor Ian Tait.

It follows concerns raised, with the meeting being told that complaints had been made about people drinking and begging from those visiting Winchester.

Mr Tait said: “I'm in the city centre pretty much every day and regularly see between three and six people begging along the High Street and around the High Street. I have no issues whatsoever with the individuals themselves, some of whom are real characters and good guys and girls, however it upsets me tremendously and of all the things people question me about street begging and drinking is high on their list, I like many others want to do something about this real tragic situation particularly as we get to the colder months.”

Mr Tait applauded the work of organisations in Winchester helping the homeless including Trinity, Winchester Beacon – formerly Winchester Nightshelter – and Emmaus.

He continued: “The BID and the council have their spare change for real change to try and divert people from giving to those begging on the streets to a more organised donation.”

More than a decade ago alcohol exclusion zones were launched to prevent anti-social drinking, but Mr Tait said: “After all these excellent efforts why are we seeing no decrease in the number of people begging on our streets and even at 9.30am regularly see people drinking around Kings Walk.

“Does Cabinet feel that we will ever resolve the issue of begging and street drinking which I feel damages the impression visitors get of Winchester and who just don't know of all the huge and excellent efforts that take place to help disadvantaged people.”

Cllr Kelsie Learney, Cabinet member for housing and asset management responded: “This is a really difficult issue I think people associate begging with homelessness but certainly in Winchester there is very little relationship between the two. We currently have very low levels of homelessness in Winchester and most of those are transient, so they may only be on our streets for a couple of days at a time before we deal with them successfully. Clearly there are particular issues around Kings Walk at the moment and the neighbourhood wardens, the police, the BID are all working together to look at a solution to that.”

According to the Government's annual rough sleeping count there were only seven people sleeping rough in Winchester when figures were released earlier this year.

Cllr Angela Clear, Cabinet member for communities and wellbeing, said it is a “difficult issue” but the council were on the case.

She added: “There is a low level of homelessness but my main concern at the moment is the Kings Walk area because I won't lie to you we do get a few complaints from people visiting Winchester. They are not abusive to the public people but its, I think, the look, but we are on the case, but I will bring it up again to the right officers.”