SHOPPERS are being urged not to give money to people begging in the town centre as it could stop them from getting help, according to the borough council.

Test Valley Borough Council has issued the advice following reports of rough sleepers in Andover town centre, and as it continues its campaign to tackle homelessness.

The authority’s housing and environmental health portfolio holder, Councillor Phil Bundy said: “Rough sleeping is a complex issue and one that requires a variety of local agencies to work closely together to offer support to those in need.

“Unfortunately, the generosity and goodwill of members of the public can hamper efforts being made by local agencies to persuade people to move off the streets and come inside.

“Giving money directly to rough sleepers can sustain and prolong the problem and make them less likely to accept help from the local agencies, which has consequences for both their physical and mental health.”

People are being encouraged instead to support charities such as Two Saints, Andover Foodbank and Alabare which work directly with homeless people and those with substance abuse issues.

Earlier this year, the borough council launched a new pilot scheme as the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 came into force, boosting investment for the council and its partners to prevent and relieve homelessness.

It also includes a commitment to make an offer of accommodation to rough sleepers who come to the authority for help.

Life expectancy for those who are homeless in the UK is an estimated 43 years.

Cllr Bundy added: “We want to reassure residents that we do all we can to help those who are sleeping rough as well as those at risk of ending up on the street.

“I would urge anyone who is worried about their housing situation to contact the council’s housing team as soon as possible as there are measures we can put in place to help prevent homelessness.”

Last year the council’s housing team prevented 427 households from becoming homeless.

At the end of August, the borough council strengthened a crackdown on problem drinkers in the town centre, some of whom the authority noted were homeless.

This crackdown came in the form of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) across the town centre.

Residents can report rough sleepers online at streetlink.org.uk.