‘DISGRACEFUL’ beggars are targeting Muslims during Ramadhan because they are more likely to give to the poor in the religious month.

Community leaders said there had been an increase in teams of ‘professional beggars’ asking for money at homes and outside mosques in Blackburn and Nelson.

Giving to the poor is an important pillar of Islam and one which Muslims are more likely to be mindful of throughout the month of Ramadhan.

Insp Bilal Mulla, Lancashire’s community cohesion co-ordinator said: “It is opportunistic, taking advantage of the culture of Ramadhan.”

Police confirmed they were aware of problems with ‘opportunistic’ beggars, who were usually non-Muslim, Eastern European women.

They are now being put under pressure to clamp down on those trying to prey on people’s religious conscience.

Councillor Kate Hollern, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “I think it’s disgraceful to play on people’s religious beliefs and generosity.

“The Muslim community need to be very careful.

"Although their intentions are very admirable, I would hate to see anyone being taken advantage of in such a callous way.”

Coun Arshid Mahmood said he had witnessed the beggars in action first hand.

He said: “I totally disagree with unofficial begging like this outside mosques and at people’s doors.

“At the mosque I attend I have seen them outside after Friday prayers and I have told them to go.

“They are exploiting the good nature and atmosphere of Ramadhan.

“It is taking advantage of people’s generosity, which is very regrettable.”

Begging is illegal under the Vagrancy Act but the offence does not carry a jail sentence.

Although officers rarely enforce the act, they often choose to exercise their powers to move beggars on.

Coun Mohammed Khan urged police to clamp down on the problem.

He said: “It is unacceptable if people are trying to use Muslims’ generosity as a way of getting money.

“They should be challenged by the police because it is not right.”

Insp Bilal Mulla, Lancashire’s community cohesion co-ordinator who is based in Blackburn, urged people to donate to legitimate charities only.

He said: “I’ve personally witnessed Eastern European women with children asking for donations at the mosque I go to, particularly on a Friday, the holy day.

“It is entirely up the individual if they feel they want to give, and there will be people who donate.

"I would say, make sure the money goes to the right recipient.

“There will be some claiming the money is going to Somalia or Ethiopia.

“We are working with the Charities Commission to encourage mosques to put processes in place to check if collectors have been verified.

“These individuals are probably just begging and the money goes to them.”

The issue was raised by Councillor Mohammed Sakib, at a meeting of Pendle’s Nelson Committee on Monday.

There are a number of mosques in Nelson, including those in Every Street, Brunswick Street, Forest Street, Seldon Street, Leeds Road and Netherfield Road.

After the meeting, Councillor Mohammed Iqbal said: “I live in Manchester Road in Nelson and I do get people from bonafide charities coming.

“But over the last couple of weeks I have had a couple of these Eastern Europeans knocking on the door and asking for money.

"I told them to go and whistle but my next door neighbour was going to give them a quid, so I told him not to bother.

"Obviously, they know it’s Ramadhan and they are targeting certain areas."