Revealed - how much has new Street Aid giving point raised in Harrogate for homeless

After months of growing concern by the public, shopkeepers and local authorities over the rise of visible street begging and a 'mini tented village' in the town centre, Harrogate Borough Council, North Yorkshire Police and Harrogate Homeless Project came together to come up with a new joint initiative.

Called Harrogate Street Aid, last month saw the unveiling of the first Street Aid contactless giving point located at Marks and Spencers Food Hall window, Oxford Street, Harrogate.

Each tap of a member of the public's card will donate £3 to Harrogate Street Aid.

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The initial figures show that the public have so far donated nearly £900 to the groups which help the homeless to get off the streets and turn round their lives permanently.

Helen Richardson, community safety officer for Harrogate Borough Council, said: "So far we've had 100 taps amounting to £300 and a further £586 donated on line plus three regular monthly donors set up, making a total of £886 total so far.

"York Street Aid is launching on Friday, November 29 which is following the same model as Harrogate and Cambridge."

This is everything you need to know about Harrogate Street Aid and its efforts to reduce street begging