CONTROVERSIAL measures to crack down on “aggressive” begging in Newport city centre could be approved by councillors this week.

Beggars would be banned from asking for money within 10 metres of cash points under proposed changes to the public spaces protection order (PSPO).

The “exclusion zones”, which would be enforced by Newport City Council and Gwent Police, has divided opinion amongst residents, councillors and human rights campaigners.

A public consultation on the PSPO review saw 64 per cent of people say begging near cash machines was a common problem in the city centre.

“Some respondents commented on some beggars reacting rudely or becoming verbally abusive when money was not given,” says a council report.

“Others say you cannot walk through the city centre without being approached for money or cigarettes. A small number of respondents specifically mentioned they find the begging intimidating.”

A council report says that 70 per cent wanted the aggressive begging offence changed to “no begging”.

Liberty, an advocacy group, had written to the council describing a blanket ban as “not only cruel but also incredible unfair”.

At a meeting of the overview and scrutiny committee in April, the council and Gwent Police said that a blanket ban would not be pursued.

The meeting also heard representations against such a ban from the Newport Now Business Improvement District and the Newport-based homeless charity The Wallich.

Begging restrictions are just one of several amendments proposed to the PSPO that will be voted on by full council tomorrow.

The current order, which spans from the River Usk eastwards as far as Clytha Park, has been in place since 2015 and is due to expire in 2018.

New restrictions include a ban on the use or sale of intoxicating or psychoactive substances in the city centre.

Groups or individuals causing anti-social behaviour acting in an anti-social manner will also be asked to disperse from the area.

But flyposting offences will no longer feature under the PSPO after councillors felt it was no longer as prevalent as other issues within the legislation.

The proposals have been backed in the report by Labour councillor Miqdad Al-Nuaimi, whose Stow Hill ward sits within the PSPO area.

“In supporting the revised PSPO, my main motivation is to seek to improve the experience and perception of residents and visitors when they come to Newport City Centre,” said Cllr Al-Nuaimi.

“However, homelessness, rough sleeping and begging are challenging social issues that need concerted effort from various agencies to deal with humanely and satisfactorily.”

The order will last for three years if approved by councillors.