AIBU to give money to the ladies who literally lie flat on their faces in the street?

[pa1oma]

I was wondering if I could ask people’s opinions on something please? ... In recent weeks / months when I’m out and about shopping, I’m seeing noticeably more of the (mainly Iranian, I think) ladies who lie on their face in the street, wailing and begging for money. For instance, in Kensington there was another one today and several down Champs Elysees as well as Hammersmith last week and it’s very distressing, but DH says not to give them anything because neither them or their children will see any of it. He says they are being put out their by a gang leader who uses these women and sends them out to beg because they are more likely to get money than a man who is begging. What do people think and do you give money to these women? I’m never sure what to do.

You are far better giving the money to charities that support the homeless than giving direct to the end user. They can direct the funds more appropriately.

Thankfully its not as bad up here in The North, although there is a bit of an issue in Manchester, mainly spice addicts though.
I will only give food, if they dont want food or a drink they get nothing and I dont take food orders either - I check if they are vegetarian or have any allergies but thats all and I always try and add some fruit or fruit juice to whatever I get.

Statement

The begging gangs are constantly making their people travel across Europe. They will stay in one country one month, then another the next, then come back. I've frequently seen a disabled male beggar that exactly matches the description of the "bobble head" earlier in this thread - in Sweden.

As so many have said, don't give them money. Give to charity instead.

Please if you see any beggars, woman or men with babies or young children, especially if you suspect they are drugged, please call the police. Adults can choose or not choose any path but children should be cared for. If children are being used for begging or adults are sent out by gangs and take their children then social services need to be informed. The best way to do this is to contact the police.

@Wearethechampionsmyfriend, the police, BTP, SNT, Pcso know about the ASB and the women begging with babies.They get reports,they walk the localities where this is prevalent,they Liaise with other agencies eg outreach workers

Sometimes there are police intervention and they involve the local authority were there are safeguarding issue

Yes do report if you feel a child is at risk

If I called the police every time I saw this it would be every day. They know and the local authority know. They won’t / can’t help.

your dh is right im afraid. I've worked for a homeless charity and giving money only fuels the addictions most of them have or goes to the gang leaders. Offer food or signpost to charities. Giving money is just making you feel better.

Have seen similar groups of women with a headscarf and piece of cardboard to sit on throughout London and in Paris. Also same gangs doing the “three cups with a ball underneath” challenge. On the Paris metro with some of them - young girls in a group chatting to an older woman (in charge) my friend could understand that they were excitedly chatting about how much they were making - to them it is just a job. Best to help or give to genuine charities. Similarly used to live in north London and saw a woman begging outside the pub one day. She sounded destitute. When I went past her about a hour later she was chatting to a friend and said “I’ll just get some money together and join you in the pub in a minute”. Impossible to tell who is genuine and who isn’t.

@Mollscroll

If I called the police every time I saw this it would be every day. They know and the local authority know. They won’t / can’t help.

You see women begging with drugged babies every day and you can't be bothered to call the police

I see women begging in gangs with male gang leaders every day. Very often with children. Not drugged as far as I know. I live 200 yards from Marble Arch so it’s not as if there is not a police presence. They simply do not bother with this issue at all.

Never ever give them anything..but the young homeless guy yes

They're usually trafficked, Romanian and part of an organised crime gang. They have fairly shit lives, passport usually taken away and the consequences for not making enough money (which they don't keep) are pretty dire.

@SandieCheeks the police know about the beggars with babies they get reports,they walk the locality. SNT and outreach teams also are in community and they know too

They are frauds hun. They all go home at night. I know I worked at a food stall for the homeless pretty late at night. 'Real' homeless are happy with food, blankets, warm clothes, the protection of a group. None of the Iranians etc ever came for nessecities.

My ex invited one homeless guy to our house. For a shower and a bed. He was so upset because someone at his church gave him £50 and he'd been fucked up for days. He said he was better off without any cash cause he couldn't buy drugs.

@Soundbyte

Some of you seem quite knowledgable about this subject.. what happens when the women return to these men with no/not enough money?

The incentive for them to beg is lost.

I'm sure there are terrible consequences but the problem isn't purpetuated.

what happens when the women return to these men with no/not enough money?usually subject to verbal abuse, often physical

Essentially it’s a for profit business, the driver is the money

Sorry too many thoughts on this:

I've been blessed to never be homeless but I had a mental breakdown and drink problem for about a year and a half. Family never knew if I was gonna come home having slept in a swanky hotel, police station, hedge, hospital, church, strangers house, totally fine and having a nice relaxing day. Its embarrassing to write but it gave me insight.

Treat them like humans, smile, be polite. Help if they are ill or vulnerable (if it is safe). Talk to them if you have time. Like you would anyone. If I threw cash at my friends and walked by they would be insulted, unless they have devious motive. Ask them what they need help with. Anyone not looking to scam or get drugs will tell you what they need. Formula, a bus ticket, lunch, underwear etc. Get it for them if you can. Treat them with respect.

One smile and 'are you OK' from a stranger changed my life. I was headed off to kill myself. My drink problem was perpetuated by shame, people treating me as scum, no self worth. But in that moment I felt cared for.

That's what took me to work at the food stand, helped me get better and now life is awesome.

@Imworthit that’s a really uplifting post

[quote SentientAndCognisant]@Imworthit that’s a really uplifting post[/quote]
Thank you 😊 went from rock bottom to the top but it was all through the kindness and patience of strangers, Rehab, councilling and the world's greatest mum. 😁

Hostels dont cost anything so dont fall for that shite.

@NotEverythingIsBlackandWhite

Didn't the Govt/councils take all the homeless off the streets because of Covid? The homeless have taken over at least 2 hotels near to me and have food provided.

I've never seen the situation you describe (the horizontal wailing women) but would have to harden my heart and walk by because, if they are being used, we need to make sure the gang leaders can't make money from it. Hard, I know, but how else do we stop the gangs from operating?

Nope, a lot of the homeless didn’t get put up in hotels. You had to attend an appointment and prove you were homeless and have a witness and then a doctors check up. As most soup kitchens had to close there weren’t people to be witnesses. My mum works for a homeless charity and only 30% of the regulars they fed got put in a hotel.

@Imworthit am so glad you doing better now. your username is very apt!

They're not Iranian. They're Romanian and pretend to be Muslim. We were stalked by one lady who just wouldn't leave us alone on Edgeware Road. She waited outside the restaurant we were at, followed us to the tube station all the while giving us a spiel about her family being murdered, etc. She begged us in the name of Allah to give her some money. When my friend asked her questions about the religion, she didn't know any of what she was being asked. My friend handed her a few £1/£2 coins anyway but she insisted she wanted paper money. When we refused, she called us Muslim bitches, straightened herself up (from her severe hunchback) and walked confidently away (without the limp she first had)! Romanian work colleagues have also confirmed this- there are gangs that operate by playing the Muslim card because their plights of poverty are more likely to fool others- many say they're refugees from worn torn Muslim lands, etc. They also hang around areas with lots of Muslims because they know Muslims donate generously to charities, etc. so think they'll make a killing that way.