"Professional" Beggars Earning Up to $200 a Night in United Kingdom to Supplement Their Day Job

Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 2:05 PM on 10th August 2009

Street beggars are earning up to $200 a night - the equivalent of a $73,000-a-year salary tax free, according to police figures.

Officers have discovered a growing number of 'professional' beggars, some of whom even beg on the streets after finishing their office jobs.

They are using the extra cash to supplement their normal day jobs.

Leicestershire police arrested 20 beggars last month - none of whom were homeless.

One woman even admitted she begged at night after her day job so she could pay for a new kitchen in her flat.

Sergeant Adrian Underwood, of Leicestershire police, said: 'On a good Friday or Saturday night, some can pick up to $200.

'We have intelligence that there is a woman who is begging because she wants a new kitchen for her flat.

'A lot of well-intentioned people see someone begging and think they are deserving causes.

'Would they give them money if they knew that person had just come out of a flat, was receiving benefits and had food in the larder?'

Toni Soni, head of hostel services at Leicester City Council, said previous operations by the authority and police had found no beggars to be homeless.

He said: 'There are people who are actually professional beggars who are doing it to make a living.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1205553/Professional-beggars-earning-200-night-supplement-day-job.html#ixzz0NnhkCHHw

Begging is becoming a second income for some 'professional' beggars according to police