Vagrants will be targetted by the Corporation of Hamilton amid concerns they’re creating a bad impression for tourists.Growing numbers of people are being aggressively asked for cash in the City, and people sleeping rough create unpleasant scenes in shop doorways, according to Deputy Mayor Glen Smith.Mr Smith said while charities are providing a valuable service for the needy, they could be encouraging them to stay in inappropriate spots by taking food directly to them.And the Deputy Mayor, who has noted a rise in vagrants as people lose their homes during the economic crisis, said the Corporation hopes to find a solution by talking with police, the Department of Environment, the Ministry of Tourism and charities.Speaking to The Royal Gazette after raising the issue at a Corporation meeting yesterday, Mr Smith said: “It’s affecting our cruise tourists.“The first thing they run into as they get off the ship is these individuals that are out begging and walking in public and making a nuisance of themselves.“We become numb after a while. We run into the same characters and take it for granted that they will be there.“But how about tourists who get off the ferry and see them for the first time? They are petrified to walk on our streets because of this issue.”Mr Smith said people have slept on Front Street and Church Street for a long time, but the situation has got significantly worse in the past three years.“I run early in the mornings. There’s about 15 incidences of people sleeping on the waterfront property in East Broadway,” he said.“Because of the economic downturn, we have people who have lost their jobs and can no longer afford to have a roof over their head.“They believe the safest place to put their heads down without being disturbed is Front Street.”He said of charities: “Some of the vagrants are getting better service than you get in a restaurant.“We need to have a discussion about that. Don’t get me wrong, these groups are providing a great community service, but if you are that hungry you should go and find food and not have it brought to you like a five-star service.”Alderman John Harvey said there have been many complaints about antisocial behaviour from vagrants in Par-la-Ville park.Mr Harvey said the park’s hot dog vendor had reported sales hit a big decline because so few people are now prepared to visit the area.“We have had some folks being accosted, grabbed by the wrist,” said Mr Harvey.“It’s almost daily. They are congregating down there and taking illegal substances and drinking.“All those things put together, it’s a recipe for disaster. It upsets the tourists, and residents are saying they are not going there any more.”