A Scots jewelry enterprise has been criticised by activists and politicians for placing up "Dickensian" indicators telling beggars to not sit outdoors whereas they're open.
Stephen Henderson the Jeweller in Dundee has connected notices to the outside of the store that learn: "No beggars throughout buying and selling hours."
A ledge outdoors the shop, on the nook of the Nethergate and Union Avenue within the metropolis centre, additionally reads: "Please don't sit right here."
Activists from Dwelling Hire, a marketing campaign group combating for decrease rents, picketed the store and appealed to its proprietor to rethink what they branded an "oppressive" marketing campaign in opposition to tough sleepers.
Stuart Honeyman, one of many picketers, stated: "Indicators like this saying 'do not sit right here', asking beggars to maneuver down the road, dangers setting a precedent for different companies to comply with.
"We do not need homelessness to be seen as an issue that may simply be moved on.
"Native companies have energy locally and it could be nice if Mr Henderson spoke to the council concerning the subject slightly than simply placing indicators up."
Honeyman added: "There's already anti-homeless infrastructure throughout the UK - spikes to cease folks sitting and benches with partitions to cease folks sleeping on them.
"Individuals would slightly spend cash on issues to discourage homeless folks than fixing homelessness.
"The entire metropolis centre cannot have indicators telling beggars to maneuver on."
Is it ever justifiable to place up 'no begging' indicators? Share your views in the feedback part.
Area people council chair Russell Pepper stated the indicators have been "actually terrible".
And SNP councillor Lynne Quick, whose ward consists of Dundee metropolis centre, stated: "Begging as an act just isn't against the law, except it's aggressive begging - nevertheless the signal is clearly not a bona fide approach of tackling the scenario."
North East Scotland regional Labour MSP Mercedes Villalba stated: "Concentrating on the poor and homeless on this approach is horrific stigmatisation and fairly frankly Dickensian.
"We must be rising monetary and different help for these in want, not searching for to ban them from public areas that they've each proper to be in."
The Document contacted Stephen Henderson the Jeweller for remark however didn't obtain a response.
Do not miss the most recent information from round Scotland and past - Signal as much as our day by day publicationright here.