"The goal is to put an end to aggressive begging," says Maurice Bauer

It is now up to the police to decide on a case-by-case basis whether it is organised gangs or individuals who are begging, says Bauer, as he clarified how this ban is now to be implemented in practice.

So far, there has been good communication with the police: two exchanges have been held, and now the police are looking internally at how exactly they will be organising themselves. Having been working with the police this closely, Bauer is confident that all officers will make a decision to the best of their knowledge and belief.

At the moment, there is an information campaign in which homeless people are approached and informed of the changes by social workers. But from mid-January, people who beg for money in certain places and at certain times will be penalised. Bauer emphasised once again that it is precisely these organised gangs and aggressive beggars that are the focus of attention, not those quietly sitting on the street.

It was not the easiest decision to make, but apparently the commune was inundated with complaints about the aggressive beggars. In addition, Maurice Bauer believes there to already be fewer organised gangs of beggars.

The CSV politician also emphasised that the City of Luxembourg has a very wide range of social structures to support the poorest of the poor. Every year, 44 million euros are invested into this.

Bauer points out that the penalties for those who do not have much are difficult to follow up on. Nonetheless, he hopes that these fines won't need to be imposed in the first place.

When asked what he would like to present in his report before the next municipal elections, Bauer said that his very clear goal was "to create a situation in which the phenomenon of aggressive begging no longer exists."