A MAN has been arrested as part of a police crackdown on aggressive begging in Blackburn town centre.

The man was arrested outside B&M Bargains on the Townsmoor Retail Park this afternoon.

Sgt Steve Dundon, of the Blackburn neighbourhood policing team, said his team had been working with council partners over recent months to tackle the root causes of homelessness but would not tolerate aggressive behaviour.

Sgt Dundon said: "Over recent months we have worked closely with the Blackburn with Darwen Community Safety Partnership, Inspire (who support people with substance abuse issues), Blackburn MEAM (Making Every Adult Matter), housing services, and local food banks to help people.

"We do our best to support those who are homeless, however, we know that there are some people who are not, but continue to beg, sometimes aggressively, in the town centre.

"A number of these individuals have continued to do so after being issued with warnings and formal Community Protection Notices in accordance with section 43 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. While arresting people in these kinds of circumstances will always be a last resort, those who continue to ignore the warnings will be dealt with accordingly, and put before the courts if their anti-social behaviour continues to affect our community."

• Akira Robinson, 20, of St Peter Street, Blackburn, will appear at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.