The police crackdown on begging in the streets of Brighton and Hove will be welcomed by most passers-by.

They are fed up with being asked for cash, sometimes aggressively, by beggars every time they go out in main shopping streets.

In the George Street area of Hove, no beggars were reported over the Christmas period. There has also been a sharp reduction in the St James's Street area of Brighton. This policy has come about at the same time as the Argus campaign, now taken up nationally, of not donating cash to beggars.

The reason for this is clear. People giving money to beggars have no idea whether they are contributing to someone in genuine need or those who will spend the money on drink and drugs.

By helping the agencies dealing with beggars instead, those concerned with reducing poverty and deprivation can put their money where it will be best directed.

In cracking down on begging, police are also reducing the problems of alcohol and drug addiction which are twin scourges in the city.

This firm but fair system of policing should help make Brighton and Hove a better city for everyone including the beggars.