POLICE in Cradley Heath have warned shoppers about beggars from Dudley taking advantage of their goodwill this festive season.
A Sandwell Police spokesman said: "We are aware of some people giving hot food, new bedding and alcohol to those begging in town centres.
"However, it has also come to our attention that some people posing to be homeless are abusing the good will of passers-by."
The police have pinpointed a group from Dudley who have crossed the border into Sandwell to garner free gifts.
He said: "There is a group of around six to eight people from the Dudley area that have now started to beg on Cradley Heath High Street.
"These people have accommodation and are in receipt of benefits, they are not homeless."
The police are using the full force of the law to stop the fake homeless gang.
The police spokesman added: "Old Hill and Cradley Heath Neighbourhood Police Team has been granted a section 35 Anti-Social Behaviour Order on Cradley Heath High Street which gives police the powers to direct a person to leave a specific location for up to 48 hours.
"Please do not encourage this begging by supplying them with money, food and alcohol – most of them have been found to be drug and alcohol dependant."
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