A campaign urging people not to give cash to beggars has been relaunched today by Oxford City Council.

First launched in 2012, the Killing with Kindness campaign reminds people that giving money to beggars can sustain their life on the streets.

The campaign has been supported by homelessness charities including Oxford Homeless Pathways, St Mungo's Broadway, The Porch Steppin' Stone Foundation and The Big Issue Foundation.

The council funds a range of homelessness services with about £1.4m and said it is committed to continuing this.

It is urging people to donate to the Oxford Homeless Medical Fund at justgiving.com/ohmf to help maintain the services and keep people off the streets.

In March it was estimated that 43 people were sleeping rough and this followed a November count on one night featuring 26 people.

Mike Rowley, city council executive board member for housing, said: "Giving money to people who beg keeps them on the street.

"Please instead give your money to the city's brilliant homelessness charities, which help rough sleepers and other people without a secure home to rebuild their lives."

Lesley Dewhurst, chief executive of Oxford Homeless Pathways, said: "We support this campaign as we are trying to encourage people who are street homeless to access services that are available to them, rather than to find ways of sustaining themselves in a life sleeping rough."

Tom Belte, Midlands and Oxfordshire services manager for The Big Issue Foundation, said: "People who beg on the streets of Oxford are vulnerable; begging often stops individuals accessing appropriate support so they can address the difficult problems they are facing."

Insp Andy Thompson, based at St Aldate's police station, said residents and visitors who gave cash to those begging had the "best intentions".

He added: "It is key they understand that what they are doing will not always help the individual in getting the help and support they require."

The relaunch of the Killing with Kindness campaign follows the council approving a public spaces protection order in October which banned aggressive begging.