Am i on my own here or does any one else get fed up of being stopped by people in the city centre asking have u got any spare change this usually happens around the bus station or in subway going to arundel gate i thought the council and police were going to clear these people away also what does it say to people visiting our city any one got any views on this subject.

Originally posted by MARTINO 1
Am i on my own here or does any one else get fed up of being stopped by people in the city centre asking have u got any spare change this usually happens around the bus station or in subway going to arundel gate i thought the council and police were going to clear these people away also what does it say to people visiting our city any one got any views on this subject.


You're not on your own here. I'm fed up with the beggars, along with the other people who take it upon themselves to invade my personal space and interrupt me when walking around in town, such as Big Issue sellers, market researchers, war protestors, etc. My policy - ignore them. I didn't ask to be bothered, so have no qualms about appearing rude.

Originally posted by t020
My policy - ignore them.

Your own rhetoric shows you to be an ignoramus! I hope, for your sake, you never find yourself down on your luck........bad karma!

:loopy:

Grr I know! On our one year night, my boyfriend and I got stopped by a grotty looking man asking if we had a spare cigarette....I told him we didn't smoke and off we went. Later on in the evening we were stood at the bus stop and he approached us again, crying, saying he'd had all his money taken from him and could we lend him £2 to get home?! There were quite a few at the bus stop and everyone just kind of said "No, sorry" and he went off on his crutches sobbing!

I'm sick to death of all these beggers,everytime i go out i get hasseled by them,its so f**king annoying!!:mad:
I was in the Forum bar the other day and a group of kosovan/albainian looking women came in with this young girl came in,couldn't speak a word of english,just going round every table with there hands out!! I won't repeat what i said to them,but i think they got the jist of it!

It's even worse in Nottingham. We were sat in Whetherspoons down there, and this old bloke came in going round all the tables asking if "that's spare" Felt sorry for him to be honest, but it was quite disgusting!! A big write up the Star recently, I'm sure, said that there were people going round asking for money in Sheffield, saying they'd lost their money and they needed £2. Apparently, they're a con... they even wear the yellow jackets like builders!
Chloé

I got called a c***s***ing m*****f***er by a charming gentleman once when I didn't give him so money. There's no come back to that really.
My policy is never give them money. If you are feeling charitable give your money to a shelter, who will give them the help they genuinly need.

Originally posted by chill
I got called a c***s***ing m*****f***er by a charming gentleman once when I didn't give him so money. There's no come back to that really.
My policy is never give them money. If you are feeling charitable give your money to a shelter, who will give them the help they genuinly need.
I'll second that!

Things have remarkably improved on West Street since the DSS moved away.

Originally posted by chill
My policy is never give them money. If you are feeling charitable give your money to a shelter, who will give them the help they genuinly need.

That is a very good point. I think you can buy food vouchers from the religious shop opposite St. Marie's Roman Catholic Cathedral on Norfolk Row. Basically the idea is - you buy the voucher, give it to someone who looks like they need some decent food, they take it to a participating food outlet, and they get some nosh inside them, which could well be a lifesaver! I think this is an excellent scheme, as any money you donate will be used for the purpose intended.

Also, I remember seeing a leaflet entitled "Finding help in Sheffield City Centre"; it gave all the locations for hostels, soup kitchens, etc. I'm gonna find out where they are available. Giving a homeless person one of these (and/or a food voucher) would be much better than giving them money.

About 99% of the beggars you meet in the City Centre are not genuine homeless, they are proffessional beggars who make large amounts of money from hassling normal, honest, hardworking people like you and I. Some at the end of the day change and drive home in a nice car! Others are begging to fund a drug habit, you find the same dodgy youths asking you every week for money towards the train/bus home to Worksop/Rotherham (delete as appropriate).

This was proved about a year ago when the police decided to do a sweep up of every beggar in the city centre one day, not a single one was homeless.

And because of these toerags, people are not now prepared to give anything to those in genuine need of help.

Originally posted by HappyShopper
Your own rhetoric shows you to be an ignoramus! I hope, for your sake, you never find yourself down on your luck........bad karma!

:loopy:

No, it shows, like many other people who have replied, that I am sick of being hassled by these scroungers. Feel free to feed their drug habits if you wish, but I don't want to give away my money to these freeloaders or even waste a second of my time or breath on them.

"And they'll know we are christians by our love, by our love.
Yes, they'll know we are christians by our love."

O n e L o v e

........we don't need another love
One love one heart and one soul
We can have it all
Easy peasy

Originally posted by Andy C

This was proved about a year ago when the police decided to do a sweep up of every beggar in the city centre one day, not a single one was homeless.


I would like to know where you got this information from?
'Shelter' have just released the latest stats for homeless in Sheffield and over 40% are ex-service men. If you could point me in the direction of your source I would be grateful.
Yes there are people out there who do have homes, but a lot that don't. I always give if I can and no one has ever been rude to me. I just hope I never find myself in that situation.

I wish I had a link to the story, but a couple of years ago I read in the star that 99% of the 'homeless' people in Sheffield did in fact have homes. They were just begging.

I dont have a link but if contact the Sheffield Star I'm sure this would be confirmed!

and you'll find a lot of the genuine homeless have real 'issues' around mental health. You do not for one moment think they chose to live like that do you? The days of the happy go-lucky tramp are long past. For a civilised society we have a lot of poor values when it comes to treatment of others...

You will always get people who play the system. In Sheffield centre I have seen both what I perceive to be "real" homeless people and those who I have personally witnessed getting picked up by their family after sitting begging by Barclays.

Denying the fact there are fake homeless people is as naive as saying there are no real ones.

I agree with Chloe - the situation is much worse in Nottingham than Sheffield. You'll find these kinds of problems in any city or town, Sheffield is not so bad given its size.

I live right in the city centre, and as such get hassled every day, at least 6 times, going to work and home in the evening (I walk). Even though I get annoyed with them hassling me for money, it's no reason to be rude, and some are geniunely homeless. If any of us were in that situation we'd be horrified if people ignored us all the time. I know people think - I'd never let myself get into that - but it's not as though everyone has that choice...

Having said that, giving money to a shelter is a better idea, as they will know more about the people they pass it on to, and hopefully then the 'fake' homeless will be missed out.

I also think Nottingham is different, as I recognise some of the homeless people there, even after not visiting for a while. In Sheffield, the only few i ever see more than once are those selling the big issue...

Thank god someone has drawn attention to this issue. Who do these beggars think they are? Coming to our country with their filthy, drug sodden, homosexual, paedophile ways, taking our jobs and our women! Don't get me wrong - I'm open minded, but I wouldn't have one of them living next door!

Originally posted by DaBouncer
I'll second that!

HEHE@DB!

Which bit m8 ;) lol

I recently saw a man drinking all afternoon in The Scream pub on West St. I later saw him begging by the cash point by the forum! He earnt a decent amount that night, i'd say at least £50. I'm not an unkind person, but I think that beggers earn quite decent living, and that is based on what I have seen with my own eyes. I wouldn't give a beggar anything, if i want to help people, I give to charity, not to a man who quite clearly, is playing on the sympathys of good natured people.

If they're gonna beg they they should at least have the decency to play a musical instrument and earn their keep.

They should be made to dance like monkeys if they want to get their filthy paws on my hard earned 50p!

Originally posted by MichaelTravis
Thank god someone has drawn attention to this issue. Who do these beggars think they are? Coming to our country with their filthy, drug sodden, homosexual, paedophile ways, taking our jobs and our women! Don't get me wrong - I'm open minded, but I wouldn't have one of them living next door!

and driving BMWs, dont forget that!

Originally posted by Belle
and driving BMWs, dont forget that!
Legally though, on their Kosovan driving licences.

None of this refers to Big Issue sellers

***

I expect a few beggars are frauds just as it would seem that a few GPs are and a few solicitors etc

My view though, for what it is worth, is that sitting on the cold ground in dirty clothes begging, while some people spit on you or kick you or swear at you, is not my idea of a great day out. The idea of doing it all day every day voluntarily would be quite out of the question.

So I doubt stories that suggest this is a regular occupation for large numbers of non-homeless people, just on that practical basis.

As to "He was begging all day and then I saw him in the pub/buying cider" etc well of course. What do you think they want the money for? Most homeless people are addicts of some sort otherwise they would be in a much better position to focus and accept proper help.

Personally I sometimes give to beggars and sometimes dont, it depends on whether I am in a good mood full of goodwill to all or cross or in a hurry or know in advance whether there will be change in my purse.

I dont much care what they do with it, I would prefer them to beg it off the likes of me than hit an old lady over the head for the same.

I also sometimes buy the big issue and I also give a monthly standing order to Shelter and to the Salvation Army, so I like to think I cover all avenues.

I feel sorry for people for whom the demon drink or drugs have taken over their lives, it isnt easy having an addiction, as a smoker I can tell you that.

Is there for instance a smoker on here that has never ever approached someone else in a pub somewhere about "borrowing" a fag, in the hope someone will put you out of your misery?

Not ever, not once?

You are a marvellous example to us all then

In the meantime, there but for the grace of God pal!

Apparently, they're a con... they even wear the yellow jackets like builders!

Me and my mum got stopped by this guy and we gave him four quid!!
:sad:
I agree they are a few genuine beggers on the streets. I don't mind helping them. I wouldn't help the con artists though. Its so difficult to tell them apart!!
I hate it though when you say no to someone and they insult you!!
Theres a guy who sells stuff door to door and he rips you off. If you say no to him he swears at you!! Nice!!

My view though, for what it is worth, is that sitting on the cold ground in dirty clothes begging, while some people spit on you or kick you or swear at you, is not my idea of a great day out. The idea of doing it all day every day voluntarily would be quite out of the question.


I used to think like that until my brother in law ( he's a police officer) pointed out various 'homeless' beggars in Colchester centre that he'd had to return home on a regular basis... I just make sure I stick to giving to registered charities these days :)

I dunno if all beggers earn a decent ' wage. ' I guess some do. One guy I saw one night came up to me and asked for 20p for the chocolate vending machine. I remember thinking that it was wrong for people to beg.
A week later I saw an article about him in the paper. He had died. He was only about 24 and had been at university. He got on drugs though and lost his home and his job - everything.
I felt upset about that. He had his whole life ahead of him and he ended up as a begger.
Maybe if I'd have known that he was gonna die soon I would've tried to help him. :sad:

New Age your last post made me cry :(

I'm sure that some beggars are fake.

But the way I look at it is that asking for money from strangers is so undignified and horrible that they must be doing it because they really need it?? Maybe I'm just naive but I dunno.

Also, a lot of women who experience domestic violence become homeless.

An awful lot of homeless people have severe mental health problems and are "lost" in the system and end up on the streets.

I nearly always buy the Big Issue when I can afford it, often twice a week as I've got to know the sellers somewhat. Once you get chatting to these guys, they're perfectly friendly, respectful, and usually have found themselves homeless and are really really trying to get back on their feet. It makes me so angry when people passing while we're talking are rude to them.

The thing about homelessness, though we don't want to think this, is there but for the grace of God go any of us.

People who sell the Big Issue aren't begging and you know they are genuine because of the way the scheme works.

selling the big issue isn't begging at all. this is their first stage in starting a new career/life, whilst they are selling the big issue they are also learning a trade/craft and the will get a placement after 2 years. At least something in this country is actually helping the homless of it. If the ones who beg you for money keep pestering u, why not tell them to sell the big one

Originally posted by Donn&Kenn
I recently saw a man drinking all afternoon in The Scream pub on West St. I later saw him begging by the cash point by the forum! He earnt a decent amount that night, i'd say at least £50. I'm not an unkind person, but I think that beggers earn quite decent living, and that is based on what I have seen with my own eyes. I wouldn't give a beggar anything, if i want to help people, I give to charity, not to a man who quite clearly, is playing on the sympathys of good natured people.

Last month I gave £1.30 to a man begging in the underpass at the bottom of London Road. Later that evening, I saw him at Heathrow airport boarding Concorde to New York. He was attending the annual general meeting of his oil consortium.

The cheek of it!

8) Nah Den Ace........

Originally posted by MichaelTravis
Last month I gave £1.30 to a man begging in the underpass at the bottom of London Road. Later that evening, I saw him at Heathrow airport boarding Concorde to New York. He was attending the annual general meeting of his oil consortium.

The cheek of it!

That is absolutely scandalous...........stone him!!!

No stoning would be too good for him and his sort.........he should be burnt at the stake!!!! ;)

Regards,

Spacehopper.

Originally posted by MARTINO 1
Am i on my own here or does any one else get fed up of being stopped by people in the city centre asking have u got any spare change this usually happens around the bus station or in subway going to arundel gate i thought the council and police were going to clear these people away also what does it say to people visiting our city any one got any views on this subject.

Yeh I get very fed up. When I was homeless I never resorted to begging ont street. I was housed immediately by the Council and found that there is a lot of Council housing they have that is empty...and no I did not get shoved to the front of the "queue" cuz I'm an Asylum seeker either

New Age your last post made me cry

Aww Pippa I'm sorry!! I didn't mean to make you cry!! :(
I think that the real beggers should be ashamed of themselves because there making it harder and harder for the real needy to be taken seriously. What I mean is that there giving the homeless a bad name.
I gave that man who died the 20p. I wish I'd given him alot more now . . .

Over here they are called vagrants and it's illegal to beg. That gets them off the streets. They'd be arrested. However, it's up to the council to provide a shelter for homeless people. Somewhere to go when you're down on your luck. Never been there so it's hard for me to imagine what it's like. I prefer to give money to charity and clothes to charity shops.

Originally posted by New Age
I dunno if all beggers earn a decent ' wage. ' I guess some do. One guy I saw one night came up to me and asked for 20p for the chocolate vending machine. I remember thinking that it was wrong for people to beg.
A week later I saw an article about him in the paper. He had died. He was only about 24 and had been at university. He got on drugs though and lost his home and his job - everything.
I felt upset about that. He had his whole life ahead of him and he ended up as a begger.
Maybe if I'd have known that he was gonna die soon I would've tried to help him. :sad:
When people gave him money what do you think he spent it on? The drugs that no doubt killed him.

There IS a welfare system for people in this country to take advantage but some people choose (for whatever reason) to live outside "the system". It's their choice so I never give anyone on the street money.

welll my policy is

dont give them money, because they spend it on booze or fags, but to give em a banana or a pint of milk. because they can eat or drink that and live for another day.

the usual one i get when im in town is "ive just come from prison (good start) and have no money to get home can you lend us some money"

Er well no. because its your own stupid fault for doing summat bad enough to go prison in the first place to have no money

Some usfull junk
]
in the uk in a week over £10,000 is given to beggers by the public

Originally posted by Fletch
the usual one i get when im in town is "ive just come from prison (good start) and have no money to get home can you lend us some money"
I believe prisoners get about £40 as a "discharge payment" when they are released - more than enough to get home I'd have thought!

Originally posted by HappyShopper
"And they'll know we are christians by our love, by our love.
Yes, they'll know we are christians by our love."

O n e L o v e

........we don't need another love
One love one heart and one soul
We can have it all
Easy peasy

thats a great idea about the food vouchers. i think people can be very quick to judge. just because someone asks you for money doesn't necessarily mean you have to ignore them. I agree giving money isn't always the right way to go about helping someone. however they are people after all, it may just be a cry for help!

if anyone is interested in helping my e-mail address is feelin_sheepish@hotmail.com

Simple answer to keep the beggars away - simply invest in a Walkman/MP3 player but make your headphones as large as possible. If people think you can't hear them asking you for cash then they won't bother you.

Originally posted by Zamo
I believe prisoners get about £40 as a "discharge payment" when they are released - more than enough to get home I'd have thought!

They also get a free travel warrant to their home city