August 17, 2022 5.19 pm This story is over 19 months old

Criminal order for “persistent beggar” in Lincoln city centre

She approached more than 50 people in just one week
Romayne Thompson, of no fixed address. | Photo: Lincolnshire Police

A woman who persistently begged in the street and would target people when they were at the cashpoint has been given a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) following proactive work by the Lincoln Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Romayne Thompson, 30, of no fixed address, began begging in the city centre in May this year.

The team worked in partnership with the City of Lincoln CCTV team, viewing extensive CCTV footage which showed that in the space of just one week in June, she had approached in excess of 50 people in Lincoln High Street.

In some instances, she would approach people and directly ask for money, as well as follow individuals to cash points and make further requests when they have withdrawn their money.

She was previously convicted on of seven begging offences which took place between 5 May and 22 May in Lincoln High Street. That hearing was held at Lincoln District Magistrates’ Court on 11 July, and she received a 12 month conditional discharge.

After continuing to offend, she was then convicted for persistent begging after being captured on CCTV approaching people, often when they were at ATMs, and asking for money between 27 May and 15 June.

At a hearing at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on 10 August she was given a two-year CBO with a specific condition not to beg for money or goods within the Lincoln city boundary.

The CBO is an order designed to tackle the most serious and persistent anti-social individuals where their behaviour has brought them before a criminal court. If it’s breached, this is a criminal offence and custodial sentence can be enforced to deal with the individual.

PC Andy Balding said: “This is someone who was very aggressive with begging, who would approach members of the public and ask them directly for money, or provide a story designed to elicit sympathy and ultimately money from her victims.

“On several occasions she has followed people to cash machines and then been handed notes from the victim. This kind of behaviour can be extremely intimidating to vulnerable members of the public who can feel pressured into handing over money when they might otherwise choose to ignore the request.”

We keep a continued watch of people who we have issued CBOs for, and we proactively release their image so that members of the community have the opportunity to stay clear of their offending, and are more able to report an incident if one occurs.

If you have an incident you feel needs police attention, please contact us on 101.