Toddlers begging on streets

ONE in three reported sightings of children begging on the streets this year involved toddlers less than four years of age.

The overall incidence of juvenile begging increased by 17% to 1,556 reported sightings in the 12 months to last September, according to Leanbh the special service operated by the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children for dealing with children who beg.

Although Leanbh reported a sharp increase in the number of children from the Roma (gypsy) community who were begging, it also recorded a drop of 22% in sightings of begging by young Travellers.