Asbos for women beggars’ gang
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
13/01/2009
Three women beggars who used children to tug at the heart-strings of good natured residents have been banned from Hammersmith and Fulham.
Livia Stoica, 28, of Twickenham, Anisoara Alexandru, 21, of Slough, and Angela Vasile, 44, have each been given antisocial behaviour orders (asbos) banning them for three years from entering the boroughs of H&F, Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea.
They are thought to belong to an organised criminal gang which uses young children as props to draw money from kind-hearted residents. Thirteen other women have also been given asbos banning them from Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea.
The prosecutions, the last of which was secured on December 15 at City of Westminster Magistrates Court, follow an October crackdown on persistent begging in central London.
Councillor Greg Smith, cabinet member for Crime and Street Scene, said: “This kind of aggressive begging cannot be tolerated on our streets and using children in this way is despicable. Although these women with children might seem harmless, often they are linked to criminal activity and money residents give in good faith does not go to charity.
“We suggest that if residents want to help, then they should donate money to a registered charity.”
