A man has been arrested on suspicion of begging in Bolton.

Paul Catterall, 31, of Fordham Grove, was arrested on Friday after being accused of begging in the town centre.

He was charged and is due to appear at Bolton Magistrates Court on Tuesday, December 20.

Police have been working to make the town centre a safer place and tackle the issue of begging.

Officers have been out in the town centre in both hi-vis uniform and plain clothes to crack down on the problem.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are working in partnership with the council enforcement team, Transport for Greater Manchester and Foundation 92 youth engagement team on the matter.

Arrests were made for drunk and disorderly, begging, and conducted stop searches were carried out in relation to the Misuse of Drugs Act.

READ MORE:

Bolton town centre begging - shoppers urged not to part with cash

'Angry' driver hit 166mph in BMW on M65 near Blackburn

Woman admits carrying axe and threatening behaviour

A GMP spokesman said: “The neighbourhood south team have been out today in Bolton Town centre. We have been out in both hi-vis uniform and plain clothes.

“Working in partnership with Bolton Council enforcement team, Transport for Greater Manchester and Foundation 92 youth engagement team

“We made arrests for drunk and disorderly, begging and conducted stop searches in relation to the missus of drugs act.”

Operation Shelter has been working in Bolton, launched by GMP this year, to combat the begging and sleeping rough prpblems in the town.

The town centre also has a public space protection order, which allows authorities to issue fines of up to £100 for begging as well as on-street drinking.