POLICE are investigating claims that people posing as Kosovar refugees have been begging in Blackburn town centre.

The alarm was raised after several people rang police to say they had been approached for money.

But when the police went to investigate the mystery beggars had disappeared.

Officers also checked videos taken from the town's CCTV system but could not spot any of the beggars.

Inspector Richard Bailey said: "We have had several complaints from members of the public which we have looked into.

"By the time we arrived at the scene there was no sign of any beggars so it is difficult to confirm whether they were refugees or not.

"However, we will be keeping an eye on the situation and we will act on any further reports."

A member of the public, who did not want to be named, said: "A woman dressed in foreign looking clothing approached me on Northgate and passed me a note.

"The note said she was a Kosovan with four children and needed money. I told the woman 'no' and was approached by a second woman who did the same thing.

"I had no idea whether these women were telling the truth but they were approaching a lot of people in the town centre."

She added: "I am pretty sure they were not refugees because they have had a lot of help and wouldn't need to go begging.

"It seems to me that these people were taking advantage of the situation and pretending to be Kosovars."

A spokesman for Blackburn with Darwen Council said they had not received any complaints but would look into any the authority received.

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