A NUISANCE Worcester beggar has been banned from begging or loitering for two years, the fourth successful order so far this year in the city.

Christopher Blanch, aged 40, was issued with a two-year criminal behaviour order at Worcester Magistrates Court on August 18.

This is the fourth successful order of its kind granted to West Mercia Police by the courts.

Previous orders have been made in relation to 40-year-old Brett Hartland, 41-year-old Daniel Spicer and 48-year-old Andrew King.

Blanch is now prohibited from begging, loitering or sitting in any place for the purpose of begging and/or asking people for money, from sitting/perching/crouching on the floor/pavement/doorway of any commercial premises or within three metres of it in the city of Worcester.

He is also prohibited from sitting or loitering within five metres of a cash point in the city of Worcester, from being in the area outside Tesco Express and Corals Bookmakers on The Foregate, Worcester as defined in a map and from urinating in a public place.

Temporary sergeant Alex Denny said: "Christopher Blanch was a persistent beggar within the city and would often become argumentative and obstructive when requested to move on.

"He was persistently found next to cash machines in the city centre and as such the Cathedral Safer Neighbourhood Team had received numerous complaints from residents and business owners affected.

"Significant efforts had been made by a variety of agencies within Worcester to assist this male, however he failed to address his behaviour or engage with those who tried in vain to divert him from anti-social behaviour.

"Unfortunately in this situation we were left with few options and in order to support those affected by his behaviour we applied for and obtained a Criminal Behaviour Order against this male in order to safeguard the community.

"Since the numerous successful applications made by the Cathedral Safer Neighbourhood team in Worcester such anti-social behaviour is much diminished and business owners have even taken the time to contact West Mercia Police thanking them for the improvement in the locality and for the efforts of the Safer neighbourhood Team efforts in addressing this community concern,"

Anyone affected by anti-social behaviour order can contact 101.