One resident, who did not want to be named, said she is accosted for money several times a day, and has now become wary of walking along the street at night.

“I live on the Perth Road, and lately there are a lot more people sitting asking for money every time you walk past,” she said. “There is even one who sits right outside the police station, and others who sit outside shops.

“Every time you walk past they stop you and ask you for loose change. They stop and ask everybody, and it can be quite intimidating, especially if it is dark or late at night.”

She continued, “It is becoming a real problem, especially for older people living in the Perth Road. There is no real CCTV in the area and when you hear stories in the news about people being mugged all the time, it can be quite intimidating. I’m not saying these people would do that, but it makes you wary about opening your purse.”

Tayside Police has revealed that a police task force is being deployed in the city centre for four months to deal with anti-social behaviour, such as begging and boy racing.

However, the resident said, “Instead of going right into the city centre, the police should be looking to the outside area, where it has become a disgrace. Something needs to be done about it. Apparently begging is not an offence but, by harassing me for money all the time, they are breaching my peace.”

West End councillor Fraser Macpherson said he had been contacted by numerous residents concerned about begging in the Perth Road and the Nethergate.

“Several people have contacted me about the problem, including a local residents’ association, a local landlord who contacted me about concerns on behalf of his tenants, as well as individual householders,” he said. “I have particular concerns over aggressive begging, particularly intimidating behaviour towards elderly people, but I have been advised by the police that they take a no-tolerance approach to any type of aggressive begging.”

Councillor Macpherson said he had asked for an update on the situation at the next community planning partnership meeting on February 18.

“The problem extends further than the Perth Road — I have also had complaints about the amount of begging in Nethergate,” he added. “However, I have had assurances from the police that they are being proactive about addressing the problem in the West End.”

A Tayside Police spokeswoman said, “Begging is not a crime in itself. However, when it does become aggressive begging, is causing friction for businesses or intimidating local residents, then officers will try to resolve the problem and address the anti-social behaviour.

“If anyone living in the Perth Road is feeling intimidated or wants to raise the issue, I would encourage them to contact their community officer to inform the police of the situation.

“The community surgery taking place tonight at Blackness Library is also a good opportunity to speak to local officers in the area to bring the matter to their attention.”