A petition calling on the council to ban “organised” beggars from Rochester High Street has been signed by more than 50 traders.

The businessmen are demanding action to tackle the daily nuisance in the busy town centre and claim the “vagrants” have become aggressive.

The man behind the petition, who did not wish to be named, said: “People are being accosted by beggars with cans of beer in their hands, asking for money.

“When people refuse to give them money they are abusive and swear at people.

“It’s fuelled by alcohol and drugs. People think they are doing a good deed by giving them money.

“The beggars organise themselves. They start from the greengrocers on the High Street and they sit outside the cash machines.

“The beggars I speak to won’t accept any blankets because they’re frightened they will be set alight.”

He added that people feel intimidated walking past them and that they could have a negative effect on trading in the town.

Mayor of Medway and Rochester West ward councillor Stuart Tranter told the Messenger he had received the petition.

He said: “I received a petition from some local people protesting about beggars.

“Some beggars have been aggressive, and they are often drunk, occasionally sleeping in doorways of local shops.

“I have also been lobbied by those protesting on behalf of the homeless.”

Sanjay Raval, owner of the City Wall wine bar in Rochester High Street, said: “I’m aware of the problem and I’ve experienced it myself.

“It’s an unfortunate situation but I know the authorities are doing a lot about it.

“Ward councillor Stuart Tranter commissioned a report.

“It’s a problem but we have been trying to sort it.”

Cllr Tranter commissioned a report six months ago, so he could better his understanding of the beggars who camp out in Rochester High Street.

“I was trying to get solid information from everyone that’s affected,” he said. “I ended up with a report that give me information about the problem from the experts to understand those affected.”

Mr Raval, who is also a board member of the Safer Medway Partnership, added: “The beggars need to get a lot more support and help to find them homes.

“A lot of them do have genuine needs.

“It’s not just a problem for Rochester – it’s all over the country. It’s up to the local authority to do what they can.”