Most beggars are believed to be poor migrants from other parts of the European Union, including large numbers of Roma from Romania and Bulgaria.
Almost half of Swedes want begging to be banned but the Prime Minister has ruled out a prohibition, saying it is not a solution to poverty.
A poll for Aftonbladet newspaper showed a dramatic increase in support for the law to be changed in the last six months, with 49 per cent of the 1,200 surveyed in March saying a ban was a “good idea”.
Begging has become a political issue in Sweden amid fears that the number of people on the streets are on the rise and claims linking them to organised crime.
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