Bressanone cracks down on beggars

(ANSA) – Bolzano, December 2 – The northern Italian city of Bressanone is taking a hard line against begging in front of churches and cemeteries, confiscating handouts.

Deputy Mayor Gianlorenzo Pedron told ANSA the council was determined to stop panhandlers bothering people. “There are elderly people who no longer have the courage to go to the cemetery to remember their loved ones because in front of the entrance there are people who ask for money just for filling up the water vases,” said Pedron.