Begging outside shops etc, should be stopped?

[Bookingsmamas]

Shouldn’t these places have their security move these people on? It’s absolutely getting ridiculous now. I’ve seen a steady increase of these men begging for cash, they’re homeless, etc etc.

I have 0 issue with someone sitting outside somewhere asking for money. But they aren’t doing that, they’re going up to cars, people walking by. And now tapping on my bloody car. Twice since going to our local Aldi, someone has tapped?! On my car when I’ve tried to ignore them politely.

It just feels very intrusive. AIBU to think security should be stopping them or encouraging them to move along? Our local shopping centre is excellent and moving these people straight on

'Move them on' to where?

I felt very threatened by someone approaching me as I was loading my shopping the other day.

The real issue is why these people have to resort to begging though. We need a much better safety net so nobody is in that position.

take as in move them off of that bit of car park etc, since they’re bothering customers

Last person to be told no (not someone who tapped on my car, just someone walking up to me) tutted with a ‘’thanks for nothing then’’ when I said ‘sorry, no change’. I find it really difficult

@Bookingsmamas

Shouldn’t these places have their security move these people on? It’s absolutely getting ridiculous now. I’ve seen a steady increase of these men begging for cash, they’re homeless, etc etc.

I have 0 issue with someone sitting outside somewhere asking for money. But they aren’t doing that, they’re going up to cars, people walking by. And now tapping on my bloody car. Twice since going to our local Aldi, someone has tapped?! On my car when I’ve tried to ignore them politely.

It just feels very intrusive. AIBU to think security should be stopping them or encouraging them to move along? Our local shopping centre is excellent and moving these people straight on

Jesus Christ, listen to yourself will you? You're everything that is wrong with society. The people you are talking about are human beings, just like you.

Do you do anything to help those less fortunate than yourself?

@Bookingsmamas

Last person to be told no (not someone who tapped on my car, just someone walking up to me) tutted with a ‘’thanks for nothing then’’ when I said ‘sorry, no change’. I find it really difficult

I expect they find it more difficult to be homeless and begging for money.

I’m not sure you’re angry at the right things here.

Our local aldi has someone sat next to the trolleys all the time. It's very awkward as it's only a little area. I don't think it should be allowed in these circumstances as it can feel threatening to some people when you are asked outright for money.

Do you do anything to help those less fortunate than yourself?

Yes - I give to charity and provide shops for my local food bank. But I suspect you’ll tell me that’s not good enough

PurpleDaisies Right, so I should just put up with it then should I?

Aggressive beggars are most often drug addicts. And yes, deserving of support and treatment; but not wanting to give money to feed somebody’s habit, or objecting to being harassed for cash in a manner which can feel intimidating doesn’t make somebody “everything that is wrong with society.”

Shop security can’t really move beggars on though unless they’re on private land controlled by the shop, only the police have the powers to do that.

Jesus Christ, listen to yourself will you?
You're everything that is wrong with society.
The people you are talking about are human beings, just like you.

This. Get angry about an affluent society that tolerates homelessness and people so poor they have to beg. Not the poor buggers who have no choice. Better yet, give them some money or something to eat.

Actually I get the OP’s point in that around here (Acton) asking for money has become quite aggressive- I was approached the other day with a ‘got any change’ outside the shop then informed me there was a ‘fucking cash point’ inside when I said no.

And there are a lot of social problems that lead people to beg, I understand that, however in this particular area it’s because they are crack addicts. The longer they go without a hit the more aggressive in their asking they will get. So yeah, I don’t feel that’s ok particularly, but I’m very sorry they aren’t able to access the help they need.

If you feel "very threatened" by someone asking for money I presume you also feel threatened by charity collectors, poppy sellers, market traders... You're welcome to say no. Obviously if there is some other behaviour that is actually threatening that's different, but if it's just the fact that they are homeless that is threatening to you, I'd suggest it might be more your own prejudice than anything.

the real charities and organisations for the homeless (Shelter does not provide Shelter) tell you not to give to beggars. Instead give to the support organisations.

In the UK, many of these people are not what they seem, or do not get to keep what is given to them.

And the suggestion that they’d be happy if you offered to buy them a sandwich instead of hand over your money is laughable. I’m not talking about being hungry here.

Blossom I do often give to some that aren’t so pushy and walking up to me or tapping my car - But that’s not their right and some people going about their shopping can’t AFFORD to give money or buy something to eat for someone else, do they deserve to go through it too?

Well yes, I agree that there’s a lot wrong with society that allows people to be in such desperate circumstances!

But also, it is very intimidating when someone comes up to your car, especially as a woman.

But the root cause needs to be tackled rather than simply moving people on. It’s probably not effective for shops to try this.

I hate poor, desperate people as well. Bring back the gallows I say.

I understand OP. I feel really uncomfortable as well. I do feel for people in hopeless situations and have done what I can over the years. But there’s a man who sits outside Aldi here as well and he’s rude to people who try to gift him food, sneering he just wants money “or go away”. He’s aggressive and have scared my children on occasion. I do realise this kind of person is a minority and I feel awful for truly homeless people. But it doesn’t make me more trusting or welcoming to have come across horrible people like that. I should be able to shop with my kids without being approached - and in your case - followed. It’s scary.

the real charities and organisations for the homeless (Shelter does not provide Shelter) tell you not to give to beggars. Instead give to the support organisations.

In the UK, many of these people are not what they seem, or do not get to keep what is given to them.

^^
This is true too.

But I wonder if shops are going to be able to effectively police this - their car parks are open to the public, so anyone begging can just wander back.

Homelessness has increased massively since 2010 sadly.

Blimey, where is your compassion OP, do you think they want to be there? Perhaps you'd like it if security rounded them up and made them do tasks that benefit the community - though not near you of course.

This can't be real can it?

@murbblurb

the real charities and organisations for the homeless (Shelter does not provide Shelter) tell you not to give to beggars. Instead give to the support organisations.

In the UK, many of these people are not what they seem, or do not get to keep what is given to them.

Of course those charities say that. What do they actually do to help these people? It’s obviously not enough or they wouldn’t still be on the streets. I’m certainly not donating to a charity with an annual turnover of £58 million which doesn’t appear to have any impact on the problem it exists to solve.

They don't always want ''something to eat''. There is a man (tall, 20s) who cruises round a local petrol station forecourt and the mc donalds drive thru queue near us begging. DH has repeatedly offered to buy food from maccies for him or go into the Morrisons (petrol station shop) with him for him to chose a sandwhich/meal ect. No. He wants cash.

A woman's concerns about men aggressivly begging them for cash is not something to be shouted down and shamed.

Chorlton that’s unfair. As I say, I do give to food bank regularly, give money to those that are polite and not actively approaching me on the street or whilst I’m in my car. I just don’t wish to be approached or be woken to rudely

@takealettermsjones

'Move them on' to where?

I think you may be confusing these people with the genuine homeless....

The op is talking about people who are "begging" by harassing people. They get picked up and dropped off in vans and often have to hand over the takings for a small wage. It is in effect a criminal gang.

*spoken to rudely