Nothing's changed in 5 years - this is from 2007

TAYSIDE Police in Forfar have responded to complaints about the intimidating attitude of some Big Issue sellers in the town.

Talks have been held between officers and a representative of the magazine and the advice is quite clear - if members of the public feel intimated by the action of vendors they should report the matter to the police.

Concerns regarding the attitude of one family in particular who have taken up pitches in Castle Street and outside the Abbeygate have been raised by Forfar Community Council at their last two meetings.

Members reported the public, particularly the elderly, had felt vulnerable by the attitude of some of the vendors who were "begging under the umbrella of The Big Issue."

At the time of going to press on Tuesday (yesterday), reports in a national newspaper claimed "Romanian thugs" had threatened to kill a Big Issue seller in a row over territory in Kilmarnock as a bitter feud between Scots and Romanian Big Issues sellers intensifies.

Scots claim foreign gangs are buying up copies of the magazine, leaving established vendors with very few to sell.

Vendors also claim the most lucrative pitches are being taken over by Romanian immigrants after threats of violence with claims Scots vendors have been physically threatened by minders operating on behalf of Romanians.

Problems have been reported in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Carlisle, Whitehaven and Keswick - and it's getting worse with vendors claiming many of the main pitches used by the homeless have been taken over by Romanians and other foreign nationals.

Referring to the Forfar situation, Superintendent Fiona Clacher stated: "Tayside Police is supportive of the principles behind the Big Issue and, providing the sellers carry a badge and comply with the rules and display only the magazines for sale, then we have no problem with them doing that.

"We do not regard it as begging. However should any member of the public feel intimidated by the actions of anyone involved in this activity then they should report the matter to us and we will take appropriate action.

"Liaison is ongoing with the Big Issue organisers and they are addressing the concerns expressed locally in a positive manner and are keen to maintain the good name of their organisation."

Michael Luby, Big Issue Scottish National sales manager added: "At the Big Issue we have a strict code of conduct which all vendors must adhere to.

"We provide individuals who are homeless or vulnerably housed with the opportunity to earn a legitimate income through selling the magazine."

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