HOMELESS people have been arrested for begging at a rate of around once a week over the past five years, new figures reveal.

Overall more than 380 men and women have been arrested for begging across Sussex since 2009, with almost nine in ten of taking place in Brighton and Hove.

The figures also show more than three-quarters of arrests led to court appearances with less than one in five resulting in a caution.

The figures are revealed after The Argus reported that Sussex Police were using plain clothed officers to target beggars.

Rough sleeper Ashley Hackett, 34, was arrested by PC Andrew Platt and off-duty officer Sergeant Richard Siggs earlier this year.

The coverage caused an outcry and his case thrown out of court after the judge said it was not “in the interests of justice”.

Police and Crime Commissioner Green Party candidate James Doyle, who brought the arrest figures to light, said: "These extremely worrying figures show that Brighton and Hove police have continued to use arrest and criminal charges as a means to deal with begging, rather than work with other agencies to deal with the underlying issues of homelessness, violence and substance abuse.

"It's clear to anyone that homelessness in Brighton is a huge, growing issue, but we need to focus our efforts on methods that help people off the streets, not criminalise them.

"That's not only the most humane thing to do, it's the most effective thing to do."

Dr James Walsh, Liberal Democrat PCC candidate, said: "Most homeless people are not there by choice; a disproportionate number are ex-servicemen and women, and many have ongoing drink and/or mental health problems.

"It is these problems, and their housing, that needs to be addressed, and not locking them up at vast public expense in the modern equivalent of the debtors prison."

Ukip candidate Patrick Lowe said: "A lot of these people on the streets need our support, there is no point in arresting and fining them a fine they probably can't even pay.

"All this is doing is clogging the custody centres, causing more paper work and using up more officers' time."

Incumbent PCC Katy Bourne defended Sussex Police as she seeks re-election to the £85,000-a-year post, arguing some were using begging to support a "drug or alcohol-based lifestyle".

She said: “Many are likely to go on to commit crime to fund their addictions and they are 13 times more likely to become a victim of crime and have a shorter life expectancy.

“It is a complex issue which I am pleased to see Sussex Police is addressing by working closely with 32 other support agencies in the city."

CRITICS ATTACK PLAIN CLOTHES TACTIC

SUSSEX Police have come under intense scrutiny over their approach to homelessness and street begging.

In February, The Argus reported how plain clothes police officers were arresting homeless beggars in Brighton and Hove and hauling them before the courts.

Critics of the approach condemned it as a “pointless” exercise which was costing taxpayers more than £1,000 a case.

The force hit back saying that arrests were used as a last resort if homeless men or women refused help from the numerous support programmes on offer in the city.

However, the approach suffered another blow just weeks later when the case of a homeless man arrested for begging for just 10 pence was thrown out of court after a judge said it was not “in the interests of justice”.

District Judge Teresa Szagun agreed with prosecutors to drop the case claiming that begging had become “particularly sensitive”.

Almost 55,000 protesters have signed a petition calling on the force to stop arresting and fining people living rough on the streets of Sussex.

But it is not just the county’s police force that has come under fire for its perceived tough love approach to the homeless – local authorities have too.

Worthing Borough councillors also voted through controversial plans which could see beggars hit with court fines of up to £1,000 last month.

Worthing Borough Council agreed to introduce three public space protection orders targeting street drinkers in Worthing, begging in the town centre and rough sleeping in various locations in Worthing.

Critics described the plans as “pest control” and warned it would just force more homeless people into Brighton and Hove, which already has a sizeable street community.

More than 82,000 people have signed a petition against the new orders claiming they criminalise the homeless and stoke up prejudices against them.