TWO women from an organised crime group from Glasgow were removed from Carlisle city centre after police found them pretending to be homeless.

Officers swooped in on the pair, who were begging passers-by for money on English Street on Saturday.

The duo were escorted to the train station, before being handed over to the British Transport Police, who sent them back to Scotland.

A spokesman from Cumbria Police said: “Having obtained their details we were able to confirm that they are not homeless and in fact have home addresses in Glasgow.

“The two females were issued with community protection warnings before they were escorted to the train station by our officers.

“British Transport Police then took over and made sure they left on a train back to Glasgow.”

As Christmas shoppers descend on Carlisle, police have issued a warning to members of the public to be aware of any beggars in the area.

The spokesman added: “The two females are just a small part of an organised crime group from Glasgow that sends people to Carlisle, and most likely other cities, in order to beg for money.

“They prey on the public’s good will in order to obtain money and food which they take back to Glasgow.

“Not many people are aware that begging is an actual crime.

“The Vagrancy Act 1824 states - that it is an offence to sleep rough or beg in England or Wales, and that anyone found to be sleeping in a public place or to be trying to beg for money can be arrested.”

The force revealed that Carlisle has been the target of a group of beggars from the Scottish city over the past few weeks.

“We work closely with Carlisle City Council’s Homelessness Team and other organisations to ensure people who are legitimately sleeping rough are referred and supported to the correct organisations.

“Officers have a number of options to deal with begging and on this occasion the offenders were issued with a Community Protection Notice and travel arrangements, which was paid for by the offenders, was arranged”, the spokesman continued.

No details of the pair’s identity were disclosed by police.

  • To report a case of begging to police, call 101, or email 101@cumbria.police.uk with information.
  • A report can also be submitted to officers through an online form on the Cumbria Police website. Visit cumbria.police.uk.