BEGGARS in Preston are being given carte blanche to carry on scrounging for cash after police were told they couldn't arrest them.

Local officers began arresting people for begging last year but, in a bid to avoid being caught, many of the town's 'regulars' started playing tin whistles - making them buskers.

Preston Police then started arresting them for obstructing the highway, until they received a directive from the Crown Prosecution Service telling them that the unofficial buskers won't be convicted unless they are posing a serious obstacle in the town.

Sgt Tony Cornwell, said: "We launched an offensive on beggars last year but this latest directive from the CPS has tied our hands.

"For someone to officially count as a busker, they have to perform a certain standard of music, but it is difficult to define what that is. We now want to catch beggars when they are acting in an aggressive manner." Police have also been alerted to a change in the way the beggars ask for cash.

Instead of picking one spot to beg, many are now on the move, asking people for change as they walk past.

One female knocks on the windows of cars queuing in traffic close to Preston railway station. Sgt Cornwell added: "This is a very worrying trend and we are advising drivers to ensure their doors are locked."

The problem is also troubling Preston's Chamber of Trade. A spokesman said action was needed.

Preston council leader Peter Rankin has adopted a more liberal approach.

He said: "If they are genuinely busking and people want to pay them, I do not have a problem with that.

"However, there are some beggars who are threatening. These people should be removed from the streets."

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