New payment points have launched in Bucks town to discourage cash giving to street beggars.  

High Wycombe residents can now make contactless payments to support homelessness charities through wall mounted payment points.

The ‘Diverted Giving Points’ dotted around the town centre are designed to discourage handing cash to street beggars.

Thames Valley Police has raised concerns over “begging by people who are not even homeless” after a meeting with its Wycombe town centre partners.

The force’s neighbourhood engagement team said on social media: “The new Giving Point is a good way to ensure that charity goes to the right people.

“Understand that your charity could be enabling people to carry on living that way and feeding their habit.”

Money from the cashless points will go to The Oasis Partnership initially, a charity supporting Bucks people from all walks of life with social and psychological services.

It will fund Street Support Outreach Staff, who will engage with anyone asking for money to see what kind of help they need. 

The Oasis Partnership pledged to consult with the homeless community to make sure money is spent on “projects that directly support them.”

The pink and white payment points are located on High Street, White Hart Street and McDonald’s Drive Through.

Wycombe Homeless Connection's CEO James Boultbee commented the new scheme: "The impact of street homelessness is devastating, long-lasting and complex and we believe it is important for the public to understand that in many cases, people who are begging are not homeless, and not everyone who is homeless is struggling with addiction.

"In fact, people who are street homeless are 17 times more likely to be the victim of anti-social behavior than a person who has a home.

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"If someone asks you for money, you should know that all local emergency accommodation for people who are found to be homeless is free; there is no charge at all, no nightly fees or deposits. All our services are free, always."

The initiative was funded by High Wycombe Community Board and installed by HWBIDCo, the town’s business improvement organisation.