so annoyed with myself getting suckered in by a begger

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I am normally such much tougher than that, but was on my way out of a gruelling hospital appointment and I suppose quite drugged up and not with it

I will normally buy food, items of clothing, etc, but refuse to give money

This woman got me good and proper, crying, claiming to be a Ukranian mother on the street with her children, begging for the money to get into a hostel tonight

Of course I am aware there are children sleeping rough on the street in London, so I got taken in.

Of course I know no hostel for the homeless is going to take in under 18s, so she was lying

She didnt want food, just money for the hostel, saying there would be food and shelter there, if only she could afford to get in

I had £20 quid in my wallet which is my budget for food for the next few days, I opened my wallet and offered her a tenner, and she took it then tried to snatch the other tenner too. If I had been quick enough, I would have snatched the first tenner back at that point, but was too dopy

A few minutes later she was turning on the tears for another woman, then had the nerve to try start her speil with me again, before recognising me as the person she had just tried to rob

I am utterly stupid, aren't I

If I see her outside the hospital again I will report her to the police

Sorry op. You're obviously lovely though, don't let this bad experience change you.

This is why I don't give to beggars, they usually tend to approach people who look like easy targets - I've been approached by people outside places like Tesco's express when I am pushing my pram and my toddler in tow and they actually think I'd have a spare quid in this current climate.

Homeless hostels are allocated by the local authorities on a greatest need basis, not on who has the cash to pay. The places will be allocated for the night by about 6pm. Her whole story was bullshit. If you're destitute, housing benefit will be how it's paid for. Very few homeless people will be in a position where they need to fund their own hostel place. Sorry you had this experience OP. She probably "earns" more than you do!

Not actually true anymore, at least in London. I know for a fact that many homeless people basically live in backpacker hostels now because there are so few local authority funded places. Homeless charities tell you to go to them as an option, and you have to pay for them yourself.

I used to give my loose change on my way to work (usually up to £5) to a homeless woman and her child, outside M&S. Until I arrived early, one morning, and saw her getting out of a BMW.

The same week my DIL bought two meals and hot drinks for them. The mother spat at her 😳 and told her she wanted money!

They are no longer begging outside M&S. No doubt, they have moved on… This poor mum and her child are, obviously, stooges for some money grabbing bas* tard 😞

thank you

I won't be taken in again

Poor you OP straight out of hospital. She's probably got lots of stressed out people or people grieving and vulnerable people to give hand outs too.
You shouldn't give money because often gangs will send out people to beg and you're supporting the gangs behind them. But sounds like you were in a bad place at the time and I'd chalk it up experience now.

A good deed is a good deed, don’t let this make you cynical.. and you know nothing of this woman’s circumstances. Just let it go.