Police in Suva have arrested and charged 15 beggars for begging in a public place.

A team of 12 police officers together with two welfare officers arrested the beggars in the streets of Suva and were charged at the Central Police Station.

Police arrested the beggars after seeing a huge increase in the number of beggars on the streets and complaints from members of the public that some of them harass people.

According to police, some of the beggars are getting allowances from the Social Welfare Department. It has also been established that some beggars earn about $200 to $300 in a week.

Investigations also revealed that some of them carry expensive mobile phones.

The beggars have been bailed to appear in the Suva Magistrates Court later this month.