"Adrian Warburton, manager of Worcester-based homeless hostel St Paul’s, said he was not surprised to hear of an increase in people being forced to beg.

As well as the continuing tough times, he also believes changes to the benefits system have a part to play.

Mr Warburton, who lives in Malvern, said: “If there is an increase in begging, and people not having enough funds generally, I think that will have contributed,” he said.

Help is available and anyone looking to find help for themselves or someone else should call the referral agency Worcestershire Link Up on 0844 346 0014, which will then put them in touch with the appropriate support. "

http://www.malverngazette.co.uk/news/10485111.Beggars_to_face_police_crackdown/

You would think they would offer a cheaper form of access number for people supposedly short of funds.

bigjohn wrote on Jun 17^th, 2013 at 4:57am:

"Adrian Warburton, manager of Worcester-based homeless hostel St Paul’s, said he was not surprised to hear of an increase in people being forced to beg. As well as the continuing tough times, he also believes changes to the benefits system have a part to play. Help is available and anyone looking to find help for themselves or someone else should call the referral agency Worcestershire Link Up on 0844 346 0014, which will then put them in touch with the appropriate support. " You would think they would offer a cheaper form of access number for people supposedly short of funds.

I have cut some of the above quote from Mr Warburton to possibly point out some hypocrisy on his part.

Here is the website of the Worcestershire Link Up  and the above mentioned 0844 number: http://www.stpaulshostel.co.uk/Pages/Contact.aspx

Yes as far as I can see St Paul's Hostel and Worcestershire Link Up are one and the same!

They do however publish an 01 number next to the 0844 number which is: 01905 739395

I feel that in all fairness to those who NEED to use a service like that, the 01 number should be published over and above the 0844 number or instead of completely!