HELSINKI (AFP) - Finland is to consider a ban on begging over suspicions it is linked to organised crime, the interior ministry said.

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"The aim would not be to punish or fine individual beggars but to prevent the criminal activity that comes with begging," it said a statement.

The ministry began investigating how Finnish law should be changed to enable authorities to intervene in the "expanding begging problem," it said.

"Begging has become clearly more aggressive and it is increasingly linked to criminal phenomena. Operations seem to also be well organised," the statement added.

An increasing number of beggers, especially from Romania, have been spotted on the streets of Helsinki in recent years, and while begging is not currently illegal in Finland, authorities can intervene if it is disruptive.

Last Updated (Wednesday, 05 May 2010 10:01)

 
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