A beggar who lied about being homeless has been handed a warning by the police.

West Mercia Police have issued a 23-year-old woman from Pershore a Community Protection Notice Warning

It comes after police received numerous reports from concerned Pershore residents regarding the welfare of a homeless woman.

She was seen sleeping in shop doorways with all her belongings and was taking money, food and drink from passers-by.

However, police enquiries have found that the woman is not in fact homeless and received benefits.

Therefore, police say her behaviour is an offence of begging and she was thus handed the CPNW by the Pershore Safer Neighbourhood Team.

The CPNW was issued on the grounds that her conduct was having a “detrimental effect” of a “persistent or continuing nature” on the “quality of life” of those in the local area.

Furthermore, her conduct was considered by the issuing officer to be “unreasonable”.

The warning will remain in placed for a period of 12 months, at which point it will be further reviewed.

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If it is then established she has ignored the warning, a Community Protection Notice can be issued.

According to West Mercia Police, CPNs are designed to stop people aged 16 or over as well as businesses and organisations from committing antisocial behaviour which “spoils the community’s quality of life”.

Peter Stock, principal housing officer for Wychavon District Council, said they are working to find the 23-year-old woman a "secure" place to live.

He said: “We have been working with various partners to provide support to this customer to help them move back into secure accommodation.”