Police in Chiswick moved quickly to deal with a sudden influx of beggars who were causing problems on a busy section of the A4 and also on Chiswick High Road.

Three arrests were made on Monday 4th August at two locations in Chiswick with the suspects being charged with Begging and Highway Obstruction. They were kept in custody overnight to appear before Feltham Magistrates Court the following day.

One of the beggars had over £100 in cash on him and all three came from the same small town, appearing to be part of an organised group.

Safer Neighbourhoods Inspector, Dave Osborne said, 'Although these can be seen as relatively minor offences, there is always a danger of personal injury when people position themselves amongst traffic in this manner, especially fast moving like it can be on the A4. We will be looking out for these individuals should they return, but I am confident that the quick response of the Turnham Green team will have nipped this problem in the bud.'

Ioan Ile CARPACI, a Romanian male aged 59 years, of no fixed abode pleaded guilty to begging in a public place, namely the A4 at Sutton Court Road. He was given the option of a fine of £100 or a day in prison. He took the latter and he was released from court, the time deemed to have been served on remand.

He was jointly charged with Ioan RADU, aged 48 years, also of no fixed abode and a Romanian national. He was found begging at the same location and causing an obstruction to the highway by standing in the fast lane of the A4, again pleading guilty at court. He was given the option of a fine of £200 or a day in prison. He took the latter and he was released from court, the time deemed to have been served on remand.

Finally, Tomita-Alin DRAGAN, aged 23 years and again of no fixed abode, was seen by community support officers begging in Chiswick High Road. He again pleaded guilty at Feltham Magistrates Court. Likewise, he was given the option of a fine of £100 or a day in prison. He took the latter and he was released from court, the time deemed to have been served on remand.

All three come from the same small town in Romania. They all had significant quantities of money in their possession - one having over £100 in cash in his pockets at the time of his arrest.

August 12, 2008