POLICE in Melksham have issued two Community Protection Warnings to people who have been persistently begging in the town.

The warnings have been issued to a 28-year-old woman and a 49-year-old man, who both live in the town.

The pair have been persistently begging in the area near Iceland despite being warned not to do so by officers.

The warning states that the pair’s actions are having a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the area.

PCSO Janet Gould said: “Despite officers talking to the pair about their behaviour, they have continued to beg outside Iceland in Melksham.

“They are targeting mainly elderly shoppers in the Avon Place area, occasionally in an aggressive manner and causing many of them to feel intimidated.

“It’s important that people feel safe walking around their town and any behaviour that negatively impacts on this will not be tolerated.

“These people are not homeless, and we would advise people not to hand over money, but instead to support charities for the homeless. These charities will support those in need and direct them to the relevant agencies.

“If the pair fail to comply with the requirements of the warnings which state they must stop begging and asking members of the public for money, and not to loiter in the area of Iceland, they may be issued with a Community Protection Notice – failure to comply with a CPN could result in them being prosecuted for a criminal offence.”

You can report anti-social behaviour via 101.