The beggars, who are believed to be Gambians and Senegalese,were arrested during a raiding exercise by the police in different parts of Banjul.

Confirming the story, the Public Relations Officer of the Gambia Police Force, ASP Sulayman Secka said the police arrested 24 beggars of which 17 of them are Gambians, while 7 of them are Senegalese.

The police spokesperson added that the beggars are charged with the offence of common nuisance and obstruction on public highway, contrary to the Road and Highway Act.

“We didn’t arrest those in the mosques but those who loiter around. As a beggar you don’t expect to be loitering everywhere, disturbing people even at their working places. That would not be tolerated,” he added.

He said the police are even safeguarding the lives of the beggars because the beggars could be involved in accidents at any moment. “Even standing on the public highway for begging is a serious offence,” he said.

It could be recalled that in 2007 the Banjul Magistrates’ Court convicted some beggars for the obstruction of public highway.