'˜Fake beggar' fined by Buxton police

Police were called to the Spring Gardens on Thursday, July 26 to reports of begging.

Kristina Sliskova, 28, of Fairfield Road, Buxton, was arrested for begging in a public place- and enquiries revealed she was not homeless.

She was reported to court and appeared at Chesterfield Justice Centre on Wednesday, August 22.

Magistrates fined Miss Sliskova £40 and ordered her to pay £85 costs.

Officers from the Buxton Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team have been responding to concerns from the community about begging in the town centre.

PC Julie Shaw of the Buxton Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “We are aware of a number of individuals in Buxton who sit on the street, alleging to be homeless, to beg for money when we have information and intelligence that suggests they do have homes.

“I understand that people may want to help anyone who appears to be living on the streets, but we would urge those who want to do something to give to a registered homelessness charity or agency which can support those with a genuine need.”

PC Shaw added: “Where we do come across someone who is genuinely homeless, we will always look to signpost them to the relevant services.

“We will continue to take action to stop those individuals who wrongly take advantage of the good nature and generosity of our local community, and take away from those who are most in need.”