Stories of ‘aggressive beggars’ filled the airwaves this week, at the behest of the humanitarian (Conservative) leader of Windsor council. I’d compare them to a smoker’s tale of the uncle who puffed through 60-a-day from the age of 10 and lived to 100: an apocryphal excuse for inaction. It costs £50 to fill a car with petrol, so a pound to someone on the street won’t break anyone’s bank. If you’re worried they might spend it on Special Brew or needles, buy a Big Issue or give it to Shelter. Just do something. I’d say.
