POLICE have advised passers-by not to give cash to beggars, after people were seen asking for money in Oxfordshire town centres.

Officers said they have been made aware of beggars in Wantage, Wallingford and Thame recently.

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In a post on the Thames Valley Alert website, officers said: "Before handing over any money, please consider whether your spare change will be able to make a real change.

"We believe that offering shelter, emergency food, clothing and specialist support for substance abuse is a bigger help than giving money to those begging on the street, and we work with a number of local organisations and the local council to help those in need on our streets."

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While rough sleepers are sadly a familiar sight in Oxford, the presence of homeless people in many Oxfordshire towns is much less prevalent.

As of December, the number of people estimated by councils to be sleeping rough in Oxfordshire were:

- 94 in Oxford city

- 11 in Cherwell district

- Nine in Vale of White Horse district

- Two in West Oxfordshire 

- Two in South Oxfordshire

Officers asked anyone who sees begging to report it via thamesvalley.police.uk or by calling 101, so police can 'visit them and refer them to our partner agencies for any support that they may need.'