SOME beggars in Salisbury earn more than £100 a day while pretending to look homeless, a charity has claimed.

Alabaré told councillors on Thursday that the number of rough sleepers in the city was low, telling them not to confuse the homeless with daytime drinkers.

They said many of the beggars have homes and take to the streets to earn extra cash. The charity advises people not to give out money and instead buy them food or coffee.

It is said that as many as nine out of ten people seen loitering on the streets are not rough sleepers.

Alabaré Place manager Nicki Vigour said plenty was offered to Salisbury’s homeless with winter emergency provision on hand.

Salisbury Area Board chairman Richard Clewer said: “I have been extremely impressed by the service that we offer – some might say too good in terms of attracting people from other towns which do not offer the same level.”

Jonathon Seed, cabinet member for housing, said Wiltshire Council was addressing the issue of exservicemen sleeping rough.

Former soldiers are far more likely to be homeless than other people, it is believed.

Speaking of ex-soldiers, he said: “These are not just rough sleepers who get in the way of society. These are real people with complex problems.

“We need to bring together people who can help not just in Salisbury but across the county.”

The council will only fund two years in sheltered accommodation in a person’s lifetime. This makes it critical that people turn their lives around within the two years.

Steve Godwin, of Salisbury BID, added: “We have a huge provision to help the homeless in the city. The vast majority of people [beggars] are not homeless. They make good money.

“We have to work to make sure these people are not drinking in public areas giving our city a bad image. At the moment it is at an all-time high.”