Good Evening Resident,

Last year, we launched Operation Yetminster, an initiative to tackle the issue of people begging in Bolton. Following your feedback, the Bolton North Neighbourhood Team identified that the location that caused people most concern outside of the Town Centre was the junction of Turton Street/Kay Street/Topp Way/A666, near to Ford and Bolton Gate Retail Park.

Since the start of the operation, I have provided you with updates about the work we have been doing. As promised, I would like to provide you with a further update as I know that begging was a concern for a lot of you.

Some members of the community want a zero-tolerance approach from the police and expect that anyone begging is immediately arrested for the offence under the Vagrancy Act 1824. However, we have to acknowledge that some people who choose to beg have vulnerabilities, such as being homeless, having mental health issues or misusing drugs and/or alcohol. As such, before we look to prosecute someone, we need to make sure the right support is offered.

Anyone that we have found begging at this location has been provided with a leaflet containing contact details for a number of support agencies available to them to stop them from begging and address any social issues. Where necessary, we have also made direct referrals to other agencies for support.

Unfortunately, despite the excellent offer of support from Bolton Council, the NHS, drug & alcohol services and other agencies, some of the same people are choosing to continue begging at the junction, either whilst receiving support or choosing not to accept it.

We have been issuing Community Protection Warning's to inform the people begging that their conduct must stop. If they fail to comply with the Community Protection Warning, they will be issued with a Community Protection Notice, which provides requirements they must comply with. It is a criminal offence to breach the requirements of a Community Protection Notice.

On Thursday 29th May 2025, when officers attended the junction of Turton Street/Kay Street/Topp Way/A666, they found a 38-year-old woman begging, who had already been issued with a Community Protection Notice. She was arrested, charged and remanded to appear at court the following day. We applied for the court to grant a Criminal Behaviour Order to prevent further offending long-term.

A Criminal Behaviour Order was granted by the court for two years. This order prohibits the woman from entering the junction, as well as begging anywhere else in the country. The order also requires her to attend any appointments and engage with drug & alcohol services. Breaching the prohibitions or the requirement will result in the woman being arrested. Breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

We hope that this sends out a clear message that whilst we take a compassionate approach, begging will not be tolerated in Bolton.

As always, if you have any feedback about the operation or begging in Bolton, you can reply directly to this message.

Kind regards,