Possibly Romanian "poor collecting"

[L00b 441]

In Dublin's affluent suburbs (South/South-West), at the height of the Celtic Tiger (2004-2007) gangs of beggars were regularly dropped off by beat-up PL-reg'd minivans at the entrance of executive estates (well, what passes for that over there ) who would then proceed to go beg house-to-house before being picked up again. Any plastic bags of charity clothing <etc.> about would also be hoovered. The usual tired-looking woman (of indeterminate ethnic provenance) with a small group of very young kids (timed by 3 or 4 per minibus).

 

Seen these myself aplenty at the time (being dropped-off, being picked-up), and told a fair few to do one, often as not after offerring apples or sweets for the kids, only to be turned down by "no, no - money, money" in Engrish.

 

Trying to get the Gardai interested in the problem, so much the repeat/serial begging as the theft of charity donations from doorsteps, was about as effective as peeing in a violin to get a tune.

 

I'm surprised we haven't seen more of them doing that in executive estates over here yet...though I'm sure it won't be long.

Edited February 6, 2014 by L00b

[Powerage 10]

Its big business they do it all over Europe its run by mafia style groups has no one seen it on T.V they go to a town usually London up to now, beg and steal for a few months then go back to Romania with loot, there is a very rich town where most of them eminate from, they own luxury mansions. If anyone tries to question or apprehend them they are met with hostilities shall we say and they are probably paying the police off as well.

[GLASGOWOODS 10]

Will be part of a begging gang mate. It's the same mob who've seized control of all the Big issue sales patches.

 

That's true and the same problem up here in Glasgow.

 

Roma intimidating the local big issue sellers and taking over their patches.

 

I'd personally pay extra council tax to have the binmen take away the scruffy Roma urchins and lob them on the council tips. (but then again,that would probably be paradise for them)

[lily may 10]

I totally ignore ALL beggars and they get the message. I'm an OAP with attitude.

[cytine 40]

I can't understand why Subway/restaurants/shops etc. allow these beggars into their premises, surely it is bad for business? Whose going to use a business where they are hassled by aggressive beggars? Begging and selling their wares on the streets is very common, particularly middle and far eastern countries but they are not allowed inside

business premises. When they try they are swiftly ordered out or removed if necessary.

The difference is over here they do as they like because everyone is afraid to take action against them.

[ExiledinLeed 10]

Did they also seize control of the s at the end of your username?

 

They 'pick-pocketed' it from my back pocket.

 

In all seriousness, the sooner the political establishment acknowledge that inevitably unencumbered EU freedom of movement rule leads to both some fantastic, hardworking people but also a minority of less desirable chancers, and attempts to control this in a real and tangible way, the sooner the political swing towards UKIP (of whom I'm no fan) will disappear without a trace.

[Electerrific 14]

What so we stop debating problems because of the racist fringe. I dont let racists ruin my day.

Neither do I, sadly this site is chocka with armchair cowards like them.

 

Probably quiet as mice in town etc.

[woodmally 10]

Dont know if Sheffield Council have done something but the city centre was a dream today. Yes there was the students collecting for rag week but they were respectful and they were collecting just like the Poppy appeal does their collecting discreet and polite.

 

No sign of the socialist workers either or the women collecting money.

[Badlittlepup 10]

Romanians have been doing this with the same MO all over Europe for Leeds. I have had exactly the same routine with the money written on the paper, hassling people in cafes in Dublin, London (in the 90s), Berlin, Paris, Rome, Budapest. Also I have seen on more than one occasion someone realise their mobile is missing from the table moments after said beggars had left the cafe.

 

It is organised and deliberately designed to be intimidating in order to extract more money.

 

They do it for a while in one area. Invaribaly the local authorities crack down after a while, particularly because children are often used for begging or stealing. They tend to move on when that happens.

 

Whether or not Sheffield with it's 'City of Sanctuary' status will do anything I doubt. I suspect they will simply expect the rest of us to put up with crime, aggressive begging, pickpocketing, theft and associated cash point crime. Because of course as a minority their right to scam and commit crime is far more important than the right of the majority not to be ripped off, scammed or stolen from.

[Plain Talker 11]

Dont know if Sheffield Council have done something but the city centre was a dream today. Yes there was the students collecting for rag week but they were respectful and they were collecting just like the Poppy appeal does their collecting discreet and polite.

 

No sign of the socialist workers either or the women collecting money.

 

Rag week? That was always held in October time! You haven't been scammed have you, woodmally?

There are, I know, some odd-types SELLING a magazine, called "Rag Mag" but it's not affiliated with the local rag event.

[woodmally 10]

Rag week? That was always held in October time! You haven't been scammed have you, woodmally?

There are, I know, some odd-types SELLING a magazine, called "Rag Mag" but it's not affiliated with the local rag event.

 

No I didnt donate but they were polite and not hassling people which was good. Might be just a charity collection then. At least the problem I reported last week has been resolved.