Nottingham City Council is calling for people to change the way they give to beggars  by using the Diverted Giving Scheme boxes around the city centre.

The scheme was set up three years ago so that people could help beggars without giving money to them directly. Research has shown that the majority of people who beg do so to fund harmful addictions to hard drugs like heroin and crack.

There are now 25 boxes in place in stores within the city centre at the following locations:

• Information Centre
• Nottingham Caves
• NCT Travel Centre
• The Derbyshire Building Society
• Central Library
• Marks & Spencer
• Castle Gate Book Shop
• Fopp
• Old Angel Inn
• St Peter’s Church
• The Bell Inn
• SilverScreen
• The Pit & Pendulum
• USC
• Co-op Bank
• Leeds Building Society
• National Express
• Walkabout Bar
• The Scarborough Building Society

7 are permanent fixtures and are the bigger boxes located in

• The Cornerhouse
• Broadmarsh Centre
• Broadway Centre
• Nottingham Train Station
• Fletcher Gate Car Park
• Trinity Car Park
• Lloyds TSB (Beastmarket Hill)

So far nearly £8000 has been raised and distributed to organisations working with rough sleepers and beggars.

The campaign is part of Respect for Nottingham, a major initiative by the City Council and partner agencies including Notts Police and the One City Partnership Nottingham which is tackling litter, graffiti, flyposting as well as other forms of anti-social behaviour including begging, drug dealing and prostitution.

The scheme is about encouraging people to give money to projects working with rough sleepers - rather than handing over cash to individuals who may spend it on drugs or drink. The aim is to curb street begging and drug and alcohol abuse in Nottingham.

For further information please contact Baljit Thandi, City Centre Operation Manager, Nottingham City Council on 0115 915 5210.