By Paul McElwee

A Strabane councillor has described as 'worrying' reports that immigrants are calling to local households seeking money.

Sinn Fein's Ivan Barr spoke out after reports that groups of immigrants have called to houses in the Bridgend area of the town, begging for money in order to pay for accommodation.

It has also emerged that this practice has also taken place in other housing estates in the town in recent weeks.

One woman, Catherine Tourish from Bridgend, had two callers and told the Chronicle of the incident.

"I was at home when I received a knock at the door. It was a wee girl of about twelve years old. She spoke no English and handed me a leaflet asking me to donate ten pounds to her as she wanted to put it towards a night in a hotel for herself.

"I decided not to give her anything. I noticed that there was also a woman at the next house who was also asking for money.

"About an hour later, another knock at the door came. This time it was a man and woman, aged, I would say, in their early to mid twenties. They also had a piece of paper with the same message as the wee girl, but again I gave nothing.

"I found the couple a bit strange. Unlike the wee girl, it felt like they were putting it on, playing on sympathy in a way. I didn't give them any money either. It felt ok at the time but I did feel bad afterwards.

"I do give money to charity but I didn't give it this time. I have no problem with immigrants but I do have a problem when people are begging.

Ivan Barr, who lives in Bridge Street, said, "It is worrying and I would caution people in the area, especially those who are vulnerable or are senior citizens, as this is the second incident of this nature in a few weeks.

"I would advise any immigrants in a situation where they have to beg, to go and visit the Citizens Advice Bureau or the Social Services to try and receive the help that they require."

Cllr Barr has also expressed concern that criminal gangs are taking advantage of immigrants and sending them to homes, looking for money.

at large.

"My other concern is that I am aware that in some cases beggars are part or a larger operation. There are individuals who go around in big flash cars and organise gangs of immigrants to go round the houses and beg.

"These individuals would then take the money and keep it for themselves, becoming prosperous, and leaving the immigrants as poor as they were before they started.

"The local area needs to be on the lookout for such activity and they need to help each other."

The PSNI has said it has received no reports of such incidents in the town.