A DISPERSAL order is to be introduced in Hayes town centre to tackle the issue of street drinkers and beggars, following complaints by councillors and residents.
Botwell councillors Janet Gardner and Mo Khursheed say they have had repeated complaints from residents who say they are being harassed by a number of young Romanian girls with babies approaching them for money.
It is believed the young girls come from Slough.
The dispersal order has been called for to combat the problem and will take effect from May 4.
It will include Station Road, Coldharbour Lane, East Avenue, Austin Road as well as the canal towpath.
Ms Gardener said: "It's absolutely ridiculous. Why are the people of Hayes being targeted? People go to Hayes to shop, not be harassed for money.
"And there are up to half a dozen beggars in the town centre at any one time now. It's playing on people's emotions."
She said with street drinkers a part of the problem was that offlicences were still selling alcohol to people when they could clearly see that they were drunk.
She added: "I would urge anybody who sees beggars or drunks to get in touch with their local councillor or contact the police."
Mr Khursheed said: "The problem is that they hassle people. They don't just stay in one place and instead they follow shoppers.
"It's intimidating for passers-by because they don't know what is going to happen.
"And it's certainly not helping when we are trying to make the area attractive. It gives an awful impression of the town.
"I have already escorted two girls with babies back to Slough.
"I don't understand why they are coming here. They must see us as a soft touch. We don't need them bringing Slough's problems over to us."
Andrew Donelly, 37, of Goshawk Gardens, Hayes, added: "I don't allow my wife to go to Hayes town centre precisely because of the type of people that hang around there.
"A few months ago she was actually followed by one man.
"It gives a very inaccurate impression of the place because it's not dirty and appalling, but you see beggars and it puts people on edge because it's intimidating."
Sergeant Simon Robson of Townfield Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "The dispersal order will combat street drinkers and it will help to remove beggars from the area. But for the police to be able to do this, the beggars need to be in a group of two or more.
"This order is going to be in place for the next six months because of the number of complaints we have received from people who say it's intimidating.
"They have also said that the begging is aggressive."
