Winchester police and local businesses are stepping up their campaign to rid the streets of aggressive beggars.

Officers and the City Centre Partnership are promoting Winchester's ground-breaking Diverted Giving Scheme, the first of its kind when launched in the mid-1990s.

People are encouraged not to give to beggars but to put money into collection boxes where it is later given to three local organisations which offer help, support and advice to homeless people.

The problem is particularly noticeable during the summer months with more and more people who claim to be living on the streets.

The Salvation Army, Night Shelter and the Trinity Centre will receive £1,000 each from the scheme.

More than £3,000 has been raised this year alone and the scheme has been copied by other towns and cities.

City centre manager Graham Love said: "This is a great scheme that continues to perform well.

"It's an affective and alternative way for people to give to those less fortunate, safe in the knowledge that the cash will be spent on food and other basic essentials that homeless people really need."

As part of the police's Safer Streets campaign, beat officers will target sites in and around the city centre that are frequented by beggars. They will prosecute persistent offenders.

Sgt Steve French said: "We appreciate there is a concern for the plight of people less fortunate than ourselves but the people we are dealing with are sitting outside convenience stores and cashpoints begging for cash, usually to purchase drugs and alcohol.

"We often receive complaints from people who feel intimidated by beggars and hopefully by dealing positively with offenders we can discourage them from begging and make members of the public feel safer while visiting the city centre.

"To help us to achieve this aim, we would urge the public not give money to beggars, but to support the Diverted Giving Scheme as this means that money can be raised to support local good causes and not individuals' drink or drug habits."

Collection boxes are located in the following stores: Tourist Information Centre, The Broadway; Debenhams, High Street; Marks & Spencer, High Street; The Brooks Shopping Centre; Boots the Chemist, High Street; WH Smith, High Street; McDonalds Restaurant, St George's Street; Mawson and Company, The Square.