A woman concerned about aggressive beggars on the streets of Hamilton has hit back at calls for members of the public to make official complaints.

Susan Ripley said she called Police after she witnessed notorious panhandler Eugene (Jinx) Darrell accosting some tourists for money in Hamilton in mid-September.

She claims she reported the incident to Police and offered her name and telephone number, as well as agreeing to act as a witness in court if needed, but heard nothing from Police after that.

And the 28-year-old insurance worker, from Devonshire, said it was not the first time that she had taken action.

The Royal Gazette reported yesterday the secretary of the Corporation of Hamilton Roger Sherratt appealing for members of the public to report to Police any sightings of people begging.

He said he was particularly concerned about the aggressive persistence of Jinx Darrell, who seemed to be deliberately targeting women and tourists, often the elderly.

But Ms Ripley said she was disappointed there were no follow-up calls from Police when she made her last call.

She said: "I have seen this guy in operation so many times and I think what he does is terrible, especially as he seems to corner people. They cannot escape him.

"In September, I reported it straight away over the phone and said I would be prepared to act as a witness if necessary. He should be off the streets.

"But what is the point of reporting it if nobody comes back to you. I know they are calling for people to report sightings, but little seems to be done.'' A Police spokeswoman said officers had taken a complaint from Ms Ripley in the past, but it was in June of last year, when she claimed a man was begging in Par-la-Ville Park.

She said, at that time, Ms Ripley gave a description of the man, but when Police arrived on the scene they were unable to locate him.

But the spokeswoman said Police had no record of a similar complaint being made by Ms Ripley in September this year.

But she said begging was a criminal offence and officers dealt with complaints and took them seriously.

Earlier this week, she urged anyone with a complaint about begging to contact Police straight away and offer to appear as a witness in court.

All too often, said the spokeswoman, people do not wish to go to court.

Ms Ripley said she was not shocked to find there was no trace of her latest call.

She said: "That does not surprise me, at all. I think people are very blase about the problem, including Police. I wonder if people take it seriously at all.''