YORK is a beautiful city to visit - that’s why almost seven million people come here every year. Especially in summer, however, it is increasingly in danger of being viewed as unwelcoming.

Earlier this week we reported concerns by North Yorkshire police and crime commissioner Julia Mulligan that up to a fifth of potential visitors were staying away because of drunken misbehaviour.

Today we report on a separate problem: the increasing number of beggars.

City councillor Ashley Mason told a community safety meeting that most evenings you could walk past half a dozen beggars. “It is really intimidating,” he said.

York has always been a city which has championed the needs of the less well-off. We’re not, therefore, in favour of trying to sweep this problem out of sight. Simply asking police to move beggars on is not the answer.

But nor is ignoring the issue. York is a tourist city: and developing a reputation as a place where visitors are regularly pestered by beggars could be a real problem.

A more sophisticated solution is needed: one which involves working with rough sleepers’ charities and drug and alcohol agencies to try to get a grip on the causes of begging, and which also distinguishes between aggressive and less aggressive begging.

Cllr Mason has asked the police and council to provide figures illustrating how they are tackling the issue.

That will be a good start. In the meantime, the advice from charity Restore for those approached by a beggar is, don’t give them money because it encourages them to think begging is worthwhile. You’ll have to decide for yourselves whether to follow that advice.