Investigations in recent weeks have revealed that some of the homeless people often seen on the high street are not genuine, and are part of a larger group travelling to towns from Cardiff to beg.

Witnesses have described seeing two men and a woman in Cowbridge on separate occasions asking for money.

Today, Nub News spoke to a man called Gabriel, sat between Cowbridge Fish Bar and WHSmiths. In front of him was a cardboard sign which read "I am homeless. God bless you".

Gabriel told Nub News he only speaks Romanian and travels to Cowbridge from Cardiff two or three times a week on the bus.

"I ask for money, so I can get food and cigarettes," he said.

"I don't have problems with the police. The police don't like my sign. They have told me to leave, but it's no problem for me."

When asked if he had any family in Cardiff or Cowbridge, Gabriel said that he had come here alone.

He also told Nub News that he has accommodation in Cardiff.

"Yes, I have a bed, I share space with other people," he said.

During the conversation, which took place via a translation app, Gabriel received money from a passer-by, and another bought him food and a coffee from Greggs.

Shortly after Nub News spoke to Gabriel, PCs Owens and Jones arrived. Gabriel was moved on and he left towards Eastgate.

PC Owens told Nub News Gabriel was asked to leave because he was begging.

"There's nothing wrong with him sitting in the street, but he can't ask for money. That's illegal," he said.

"If he was just sat there and people were identifying him as a beggar and giving him money, that would be a different thing.

"It's having a sign and a hat out. That's where the issue is.

"I'm sure people in Cowbridge would be supportive of him, if he was genuine."

The police officers asked Gabriel for ID, for which he showed a photocopy of a passport.

"Because of Brexit we have to do different checks now," PC Jones explained.

"Often, they come over for free and when they get here, they work the streets."

PC Jones also said that those posing as homeless were putting a "negative spin" on those genuinely in need.

"We've got two homeless hotels in the Vale. There's nothing preventing him from going to the council and getting himself a room," he said.

"It's not like how it was before Covid."

"Most of them do come from Cardiff, and are part of a bigger group," said PC Owens.

"They turn around and say they can't speak English, but they can.

"He knew what was happening because he started packing up and walking away as we approached him.

"When people hear the term 'organised crime' they don't think it's like this, but it is.

"It's frustrating because there are genuine begging cases you want to support," he said.

Last week a worker at Greggs told Nub News they had been made aware of the situation by police.

"We were giving them leftovers, or umbrellas that were left here when they were sat out in the rain," she said.

"We felt sorry for them, but it's given them a bit of a bad name. We spoke to the police who found out they were from a gang; they weren't homeless at all.

"The police have told us to keep an eye out, and to let them know if they return."

South Wales Police told Nub News: "We are aware of this matter and are looking to identify and engage with the individuals, the first priority being to ensure that they are not being exploited and that we offer them support to divert away from begging."

Councillor Andrew Pritchard urged Cowbridge residents to contact South Wales Police if they see similar incidents.

"I have been working with South Wales police to find help this person initially, although, on investigation by SWP they have found out he is part of a larger organisation taking money from the residents of Cowbridge under false pretences.

"The money is collected by various people claiming to be homeless in a few towns around Cardiff and the Vale and is then sent back home, to Europe and other countries.

"These are not homeless people and they travel to these target towns on our buses.

"If you see anyone begging on the streets of Cowbridge, please contact SWP on 101."