Police respond to concerns about begging outside Tesco Extra in Chesterfield

Paul Brough contacted the Derbyshire Times to complain about beggars sitting just outside the entrance to the store on Lockoford Lane, close to the cash machines.

He said their presence had left him feeling ‘intimidated and scared to go shopping’.

He also claimed that they operate in a ‘shift-like’ pattern and he had heard them discussing how much they make each day, which he said was ‘more than the hard-working Tesco staff get for working all week’.

He said he was particularly concerned that they were there without masks on during the Covid pandemic, having had to walk past one of them ‘coughing and spluttering’ while failing to cover their mouth.

These are the Chesterfield neighbourhoods with the lowest numbers of Covid-19 cases

A Tesco spokesman said: “We are aware there is an ongoing problem at the store and would like to reassure our customers that we’re working closely with Derbyshire police to find the right way to address this.”

A spokesman for Derbyshire Constabulary said: “I have spoken to local officers, who have confirmed they have received a few calls about beggars in that area and they have moved people on.

Derbyshire police have issued more than 300 coronavirus fines since last March

“Tesco have not reported any problem to us and we don’t regularly receive complaints about this issue.”

Kate Caulfield, a Labour councillor for Moor ward, said she had not been aware of the problem but shared the concerns expressed and had contacted Tesco, which she said worked ‘extremely well’ with the council.

"Begging in various places throughout the town has been a problem which we have worked with the police to address,” she added.