‘Killing with kindness' is ~Westminster City Council~'s latest campaign to target street beggars. Westminster's director of community protection, ~John Barradell~ said: ‘Money given directly to street beggars is likely to end up lining the pockets of crack or heroin dealers. ‘More often than not, people who think they are being kind will be feeding the habit of someone who is not even homeless.' The council campaign, backed by four homelessness charities, will encourage commuters and tourists to give their cash to a general collection instead. Former rough sleeper Tony Whittaker, 64, was among the collectors at Victoria Station last Friday, to kick off the campaign.
