A complaint about a beggar in Petersfield town centre left a mayoral great feeling like a criminal.

Cllr Lesley Farrow recently visited the town’s new police station amid concerns about the behaviour of a suspected “professional” beggar on the High Street.

But she told fellow town councillors the response she received “wasn’t on” with Lesley being asked for her date of birth by a “disinterested” officer.

She said: “There was a beggar being aggressive and asking for money so I went to the police station, as it was open, and reported it.

“The man behind the desk couldn’t have been more disinterested and asked me why I was there. I told him the beggar was pestering people and he gave me such a look.

“He asked me for my date of birth – why on earth would I have to give that?”

Hampshire Police haven’t clarified why they asked for Cllr Farrow’s date of birth, but stated they record the details of anyone making a report.

They added: “If an individual is unhappy with any contact they have had with the police they can provide feedback through www.hampshire.police.uk and it will be addressed by Contact Management and the Local Neighbourhood Policing Team.”