POLICE have arrested and drug tested a number of traffic island beggars in Bradford city centre over the past week.

Officers from West Yorkshire Police's Bradford City team made the arrests for begging on traffic light islands around the city across four days last week.

All those arrested were charged and bailed to appear at court.

The suspects were also drug tested.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "In addition to this, they were drug tested.

"Guess what the results showed."

The force also gave out a warning to members of the public who might be handing out money to people begging in the city.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "Many of the beggars we come across are not homeless and money that is given to them is likely to be spent on alcohol or drugs.

"We work very closely with partner agencies to help these people with food, housing, benefits and tackling drug addiction."