BURNLEY and Padiham police have apologised after a post appeared on its official Facebook account telling people not to give money to homeless people in Burnley because it “only encourages them to keep sitting there and not make any effort to work”.

The post, which has since been deleted, sparked outrage on social media site and has been branded ‘disgusting’ and ‘worrying’.

The post read: “We would like to remind people not to give money to the males who sit next to Wilkinsons in Burnley town centre.

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“Begging is an offence and quite often causes upset to elderly people going to and from their vehicles.

“By giving them money it only encourages them to keep sitting there and not make any effort to work, thank you.”

In a later post Burnley and Pendle police said: “We have removed the last post we made about begging in Burnley town centre. We clearly could have chosen our words better and while we never set out to offend anyone if we have on this occasion we’re sorry. Thanks.”

The post has been met with anger from residents who questioned why the police felt the need to send the post out.

Student Isaac Fielding, 18, said: “The post mentioned nothing of the financial/social situation of these individuals.

“It is not the job of the police to take a political stance on such issues.

“We entrust elected politicians to do so. It is worrying that our police are finding the manpower and time to take to social media to attack those most vulnerable. I question whether more time should be spent fighting real crime.”

People also took to Facebook to vent their fury.

Hugo Sovord wrote: “It’s not the words that are the problem it’s the ignorant, uncompassionate and odious attitudes that put them together.”

James Slade posted: “Dear Burnley and Padiham police, there may be some good that comes out of your post because whichever unfortunate soul has to beg outside Wilkinsons tomorrow will make a fortune.”