Beware the rough sleepers who have their own homes to go to – EXPRESS COMMENT
CAMBRIDGESHIRE police want it to be known that there are no rough sleepers in the cathedral city of Ely. So if you encounter a beggar, don't part with your money. Some of these vagrants are, according to the police, making a very decent income on the streets.
Ely has no beggars, only chancers say local police
But the truth is that they have all been "catered for with regard to housing and support”.
One city resident even claims to have seen supposedly homeless people arriving by car.
As we return to our centrally heated homes on a winter's evening it is troubling to see someone who has apparently nowhere to go for the night.
To assuage our consciences we often hand over some cash, not really knowing whether it will be spent on drugs or drink or end up in the pocket of someone who already has a home of their own.
These fake rough sleepers bank on the public's discomfiture and generous impulses.
Though as the police advise, it would make more sense to give food or a hot drink.
Their spokesman said: "We don't want to persuade people not to care, or not offer help – but we do want to help people to know how best to go about offering help."
The police know what they are talking about.
Homelessness is an emotive issue but clearly some of those down on their luck may be taking us for mugs.
In Ely and elsewhere.
Don't trust jihadi brides
Raqqa, the capital of the Islamic State
While Islamic State falls apart in Syria as many as 1,000 women who went there to marry jihadis are likely to begin returning to Europe.
It is a criminal offence to be a member of a terror organisation so while there were undoubtedly girls who thought marrying an IS fighter was a romantic adventure they cannot be allowed to return to this country with everything forgiven and forgotten.
Ignorance is no defence.
They represent a serious security threat and protestations of innocence and victimhood must be met with scepticism.
Thus the news that, so far, a dozen of these women have been offered a counselling service is concerning.
Far from being victims of circumstances many could be actively plotting further terrorist attacks in this country.
Dame Joan Collins and husband Percy Gibson
Dame Joan Collins shares all
Actress Dame Joan Collins has been sharing the secrets of a happy marriage – one of which includes tactfully exiling your spouse to the spare room in case of snoring.
She has recently celebrated her 16th anniversary with Percy Gibson.
Throughout her life Dame Joan has been cheerful and entertaining and is now a national treasure.
Percy is a lucky man.