Tired of the performative beggars and alcoholics this time of year

[Onand]

Is anyone else sick and tired of the huge number of ‘homeless’ beggars, alcoholics and addicts that descended on the streets since the Christmas rush started this year?

Manchester is rife with them- this year there is a particularly ropey bunch of alcoholics/ addicts that are obnoxiously ‘sleeping’ or sitting with their bags pointing directly out into the street instead of being against a wall, they’re building ‘dens’ in shop doorways which stink of human faeces and piss, dealers go from spot to spot, dogs forced to sit in uncomfortable situations (often not even their dog as the same one gets passed from beggar to beggar).

It’s a self perpetuating problem because soup kitchens serving buffets set up and cater meals for them whilst they’re generally being a nuisance and making the streets look an absolute shitty mess. Why are they tolerated? People need to stop giving them money as it just encourages them to keep doing it when there are services in place to help them.

Bah humbug I know, but It’s beyond grim.

I was struck by that too. Also seemingly normal blokes muttering “spare any change” when just walking past me in the street. It all felt a bit aggressive and out of control.

I made an online donation to the Salvation Army when I got home.

Have you purposely put this up for a reaction?

Check your privilege

Many where we live aren't even homeless, and are repeatedly moved on by the police (with hundreds of pounds worth of cash in their backpacks from unsuspecting tourists - DP is a police officer and has escorted some home to their very nice apartments before!), and can become quite aggressive when challenged.
One lady begs outside our local supermarket but she's always talking on her iPhone via her airpods...then wonders why nobody stops to give her cash.

Do you know much about "services" for homeless people, OP?

I just feel sorry for them, and the dogs, especially at this time of year. Not many people would actually choose to live that way.
I don't really carry cash, but help and contribute to charity in other ways.

The hyperbole is off the wall!

Your DP will be very aware of the number of actual homeless people there are in our cities. Or does he ignore those ones and just tell you about the non-homeless beggars?

Yes, because people choose to live on the street for shits and giggles.

1. check the definition of homeless as it includes sofa surfing etc
2. many homeless people sleep in tents in less busy areas for obvious reasons but move into more crowded areas in the day. But I wouldn't want to sit out all day in Dec so yes they do have 'dens' but it's not to deceive you, it's to keep warm.
3. if you could sleep in a city centre tent for more than a night without it impacting on your emotional wellbeing, you'd be in a minority

No, we speak about all the people he helps and donate to a homeless charity (among others), as he can be quite affected by what he sees day to day and we're very aware that the majority of people he deals with are in genuine need of help, be that for addiction, DV/DA, mental ill health, but what he can do is limited so we donate to charities who can help. That okay with you?

It's just interesting to me that other people are noticing the rise in people who are posing as homeless to make a quick buck.

I would agree about the intimidating begging if that is happening, but otherwise you sound a bit like the mum on mr stink

I think so.

I knew I should have brought an 🧯 for the flames of hell. It’s not privilege it’s knowing these addicts and alcoholics are preying on the goodwill of the Christmas shoppers whilst out of their minds on god knows what new drug is on the scene (Spice seems to be back judging from the comatose states).

It annoys the hell out of me because there are plenty of families and people working full time and multiple jobs barely surviving who do not resort to this and yet are more deserving of the goodwill.

When you see day after day the same addicts in the same spots you do start to wonder if it’s their choosing.

Like everything else if there’s money to be made the scammers move in.

I never give money to beggars or Big Issue sellers. Mostly Eastern European women in my town. Why leave your home in Europe to become ‘homeless’ in another country?

I agree that some are scams, the common writing on notices by them asking for help is something I have noticed.

Donate to a charity who will use it wisely.

Two varieties of this I see now (central London):

First is the proper drug addicts. They look awful. Often living in a pile of rubbish as described. Whole situation desperate as there don’t seem to be any decent services for those in the grip of addiction. Sometimes to be found lying unconscious in the street or tube entrances. Sometimes with limited clothes on. Very distressing.

The second is the shipped-in Roma crowd. Absolutely prolific at all times of year. On my local bit of high street there’s a different pair every day pretty much - all have the same odd signs with hyphens between each word (so they are identifiable?). Often much older women etc.

The same brand of beggar I get near my office are like this but more extreme. A crutch is almost obligatory now - I’ve seen groups of them arrive on the train before, all on crutches… it’s not uncommon for them to have a terrible wound somewhere they’re showing off. They usually don’t have shoes on.

They are controlled by gangs (I know this was assaulted by one and the police told me this was the case). I’m not really clear why they aren’t arrested and made to leave the country.

Try working for a homeless charity, it will open your eyes and show you the reality of homelessness and how people get into that situation. Yes there are services out there but they’re so stretched they cannot help everyone.

Scammers are in all walks of life, those on the streets are just more visible.

It’s all of our problem, if you want it to change then we have to force the government to make it change. How “in your face” it gets is exactly how in your face it has to get before snobs tell the government they’ve had enough and the government make better provision for society’s needy, and that includes all the children born.

Thank you to everyone who works with the genuine homeless. This is why it makes me so angry to see these hoards of addicts and alcoholics descend onto the streets at this time of year because it makes you think everyone in dire situations are the same when they are clearly not.

Are you ever tempted to "choose" a life of drug abuse and homelessness OP? If not, why not?

What made you choose that name for yourself OP ?

I don’t think you get it to be honest, those alcoholic’s and drug addicts are probably genuinely homeless.

Wow, I don't actually know what to say to that.

I think this has caused people to become completely unsympathetic and frustrated towards homeless people.

There is very obviously gang-driven begging nationwide in the UK now, these are not people who have fallen into homelessness because of X or Y - it’s a way of life and they’re doing it for the money (which I assume goes to their home country).

Given you can see them on most high streets in Britain now, I’m not really clear why the police aren’t doing anything about them.

So sorry you are having to suffer this, OP.

Thoughts and prayers with you.