Sherratt has revealed.

He said crackdowns using plainclothes officers had failed as the beggars quickly recognised them and were even quicker to get out of the way of uniformed patrols.

Closed circuit television cameras were of little use because they could not record conversations and therefore could not be used as evidence.

Mr. Sherratt said: "This is a very small Country and they get to know the faces of Police officers.'' He said the street menace could only be curbed with the help of the public but noted that many victims were unwilling to hang around to identify the criminals.

"The beggars are becoming more aggressive. Females bear the brunt of it but most are very reluctant to make a statement for fear of retribution but I have never known anyone suffer as a result of making a statement.'' Yesterday Police met with the Corporation to discuss ways to counter the beggar menace.

The problem of lack of public co-operation was aired despite a 700-name petition being handed over expressing public outrage at the problem.

Port O' Call manager Marco Zanccoli said the alfresco diners at his Front Street eatery were plagued by pushy beggars.

"They are not asking for 25 cents, they want two or three dollars.'' He added: "The Police are there a lot of the time but unless they are within 100 yards, it's not going to stop them. It's a problem for the politicians.'' Tougher measures were also considered to deal with litter louts during the meeting.

Mr. Sherratt revealed: "One idea is to make people caught littering pick up trash -- then they might have an appreciation of the problem.''