Does anyone know what the police can actually do about people who behave like the woman who asks for electricity and baby milk money? Is it actually an offence to ask for money in the street?

I can believe that she is hard up and has a baby, but guess she is wanting money for drugs because I've twice offered to go to the supermarket with her to buy food for her and the baby, but she refused to accept it unless I would give her some cash as well.