ONE of four beggars who have been spotted persistently harassing people in the Avenues has been given an Asbo.
Police say Christopher Whinn has intimidated shoppers by begging outside Sainsbury's in Chanterlands Avenue.
Whinn, 37, has been caught begging outside the store eight times since April.
He was one of four beggars police wanted to target in the area.
PC Russell Moore, antisocial behaviour officer for Hull, said: "Customers have been going into Sainbury's and complaining. He is not the most well-kept person, which can upset people.
"If someone like that comes up to you asking for money, you do not know what is going to happen next. It can be quite frightening.
"We might think he is harmless because we deal with him all the time but someone who has never seen him before will wonder what he is going to do."
Whinn was also arrested for begging an elderly church warden for money in Marlborough Avenue.
In October, police officers circulated photographs and names of four beggars they wanted people to report – Whinn, Mike Foster, Mike Megson and Marie Wormald.
Now, police plan to display posters detailing the conditions of Whinn's Asbo in the Chanterlands Avenue area.
PC Moore said: "The avenue is a busy area with shops and there are also residential areas nearby. People want to be able to go to their houses and to the shops without being pestered.
"They do not want people hanging around causing them problems.
"It impacts on shops and trade in the area, and could put jobs at risk."
The order lasts for two years. It was made at Hull Magistrates' Court after an application by neighbourhood officer PC Andy Carmichael.
If Whinn breaches the order, he could face up to five years in prison.
PC Moore said: "Hopefully, this will give shoppers and staff some respite.
"I don't think it will make him change his behaviour, but it will give us the ability to manage him.
"If he starts begging, or abusing people, he can be arrested. This means we can remove the problem from the public.
"Eventually, we hope he will get the message and will stay away."
Anyone who sees Whinn breaching the order should call Humberside Police on 101.
Email phoebe.jackson- edwards@mailnewsmedia. co.uk or call 01482 315058 if you have a story about the Avenues.
