Paris has banned all beggars from the most famous tourist haunts around the city, in an attempt to ‘protect’ visitors and from criminal gangs.

The moves are part of a radical effort that is mainly aimed at preventing groups of eastern European youngsters who target tourists around the world’s most favoured destination for holidaymakers. Brits are among those that have had to grow used to youths coming up to them before asking ‘Do you speak English?’ then demanding money.

The notorious right-wing Interior Minister, Claude Gueant, confirmed that police have been ordered to apprehend ‘aggressive beggars’ or ‘delinquents’ across areas that include the Champs-Elysee and the Louvre museum, in addition to all the famous shopping streets.

Gueant said that the no-go areas will be ‘particularly useful’ for helping to combat ‘Romanian petty crime’. A spokesman representing Paris’ police constabulary said that hundreds of beggars have already been arrested and cautioned at the same time their adult ‘minders’ have been slapped with fines.

Gueant said that the ban, which has received full support from President Nicolas Sarkozy, will ensure that the crime rate plummets in the French capital. The government in Europe’s most populated country has been keen on protecting shoppers that will hand the economy a much-needed boost during a time of economic uncertainty and catastrophe.