PC gone mad or just a genuine mistake?

[Jimbuna]

I'm certainly not condoning the actions of the Metro Announcer but begging is an unlawful act in the UK.

The employer obviously believes it innapropriate for the employee to make such an announcement but I would ask them do they feel it appropriate that an unlawful act should should be overlooked on property the public have access to and they have a duty of care towards said public.

During my time in uniform I would move the person or persons that were begging away from the location after giving a few words of support and directions to a place of help and that usually sufficed.

I reckon the major flaw here being it is not legally enforced equitably from area to area.

Tyne and Wear Metro has apologised for an "inappropriate" comment made over its public address system.
It follows an incident at Wallsend station when a man thought to be from Eastern Europe was allegedly begging.
The announcer said: "We've had numerous complaints about your behaviour demanding money and begging. You might do it in your country but you're not doing it here."
Metro's operator apologised and said an investigation had started.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-37998568

The Vagrancy Act 1824 (5 Geo. 4. c. 83) is an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom that makes it an offence to sleep rough or beg. Anyone in England and Wales found to be homeless or to be trying to cadge subsistence money can be arrested.