NEWS of begging gangs taking advantage of the vulnerable in Brighton will likely shock residents.

It is sad to see both businesses and pedestrians have noticed an increase of street beggars. Whatever your take on the situation, the issue is certainly a symptom of our suffering high streets.

If these beggars are truly homeless and need the money, then they have been let down by a Government that should be helping them.

But if they are members of begging gangs, there is still a high chance they are at risk.

As Brighton Housing Trust chief executive Andy Winter said, these so-called “professional beggars” often work for controllers who force them into begging.

Whether it is drug addiction or modern slavery, these people must be helped and the criminals who exploit them should be brought to justice.

In this situation, no one wins except the exploiters.

Pedestrians and traders are scammed out of their money, giving away their cash in goodwill but losing it to criminals.

Meanwhile those who are given the money often lose it to their controllers and will be sent out onto the street again. No one wins.

Ultimately, it is up to Brighton and Hove City Council, Sussex Police, and the Government to tackle these intertwining issues.

But as citizens, we can always do our bit.

If you see someone who is homeless, let them know help is available at the council.

They can call StreetLink on 0300 500 0914, which will pass on their information to the council’s street outreach service.

“Truly” homeless or not, these people must know help is there.