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.

well, hopefully you never will be in such a position, or indeed, your own sons

Not all addict/alcoholics beg, in fact most don't... it is a lifestyle choice to sit on the street all day and beg.

I agree about Manchester. The numbers ramp up considerably and most won’t be homeless. They beg all day and then go home. I read an article once from a fella who tried it in Wolverhampton one day at Christmas and he made £600.

Manchester is an absolute shithole nowadays.

When I look at the Big Issue website, none our registered in my town to sell it. Why is that? I therefore never buy the big issue.

I saw a lady giving a homeless man £5 outside of M&S. He said she had a £20 and he would rather have that and took it from her purse.

There has to be a element of keeping yourself street safe especially as a woman. People see us as easy targets.

I completely agree it's mh issues and being let down but when you need the help ( at school from the start ) there is f all to be had. Camhs is a shit show. Absolute shit show. National disgrace.

But to think there isn't a large number of professional beggers that ho home to their nice warm home is silly.

Money needs to go into children's and adolescent services. When you try to get help for your kids SEN or MH you are vilified by school and the other parents at school.

I’m sure many of the people agreeing with OP on here also talk about Christmas losing it true meaning while also moaning about those less fortunate than them ruining the vibe of their favourite Christmas market 😒

The OP clearly said performative not the genuine cases so not sure why some in this thread are upset.

I work in homelessness. I’ve helped around 400 street homeless people this year. In my town I was say 70 percent of the beggars are in fact not street homeless, but rather gathering funds for their addictions. The remaining 30 percent are desperately mentally unwell but also have addictions so MH services can’t help and SMS services can’t help either.
if you do wish to donate I’d highly recommend donating to your local food bank / mental health charity / salvo army rather than giving them your money directly

I don't want to go into all of the terrible scenarios that lead people to these lifestyles OP. People do not choose to addictions and homelessness for a laugh. You likely grew with parents that loved you and kept you safe, you will be surrounded by people that look out for you. When you left school you had a home address to apply for jobs, you likely don't need to block out memories of violent abuse, murder or rape. And that is your privilege, you are a very fortune person. Be greatful for that rather than judging others for not having your luck.

There are multiple posts on here relaying incidents where people were intimidated. I’m not the strongest person but I’m an able bodied woman who is fast on my feet and I still have felt (and been) threatened.

How about a bit of compassion for those who may have impaired mobility and/or with children that may feel more trapped?

My friend volunteered for a long time with women's aid (and is a DA survivor). She also gives to charities via her work and children’s school. That doesn’t mean she can’t feel worried about men approaching her and asking (sometimes aggressively) for money when she’s with her small kids.

I saw this comment further down and will quote @Fluufer as it describes I think how many feel:

It is possible to both have sympathy, and not feel obliged to solve everyone else's problems whilst tolerating intimidating behaviour.

I've had a conversation with my 6YO this year about how Christmas is a lovely time for lots of people but for many who don't have family/friends/money it is a very sad and lonely time. She seemed to understand and respect this. Is it such a difficult concept for a grown adult? If these people aren't doing you any significant harm then ignore and be thankful that for whatever reason you're in a better position than they are.

Quite - and if and when you and your daughter are approached, with aggression, or made to feel intimidated by someone begging on the streets, I'm sure you will have another lovely conversation then.

Honestly, if you don't understand, you don't. No harm done but leave off being so patronising to other posters who've experienced differently to you.

Yes, best bring back the workhouses - can shove all the poor and disadvantaged in there, off the streets 🙄

Scammers, sigh.

The homeless services in my part of London are bloody good. Most clients are men, illegal immigrants.

We get bussed in Big Issue con artists.

And the freelancers - gentlemen junks and drunks thieving and assaulting women, lovely.

Every £1 you give funds organised crime.

I saw a lady giving a homeless man £5 outside of M&S. He said she had a £20 and he would rather have that and took it from her purse

I think I already mentioned upthread a similar incident except it involved my friend (a teen at the time) who wanted to give £1 and was asked to give £10 when she opened her purse @IncessantNameChanger I’m sure it’s definitely a thing.

I left Manchester in around 4 years ago. Has it worsened since then? I found Piccadilly Gardens quite menacing at times. Despite being 'gardens', I felt the need to be on my guard there in particular.

Who made you the decider of who’s genuinely homeless or not?

In Manchester - which I think is the location referenced in the OP - I know of at least three mobile food services which go out round the city centre at various points in the week. Manchester also runs the Bed Every Night scheme, which aims to find everyone who needs it, somewhere safe, warm and dry to sleep. However a lot of overnight shelters have a no drugs or alcohol rule, so it's not unusual for addicts to prefer to remain outside.

Once established an addiction is very hard to break, but it's the choices that people make that lead to addiction.

@nindo Wasn't it much rougher in the 90s & 80s though?

I just moved here around 2/3 years ago so I don’t know if it’s got worse or not but I avoid Piccadilly gardens. I have a poor sense of direction but i plan my route so I don’t have to go past there even if it takes longer.

Not really, because the social inequality and trauma that often leads to addiction strips people of choices. Substances become a way of coping with trauma, often from a very young age. To say it’s a ‘choice’ is massively over simplifying the complexity of addiction.

I never give money to homeless people. They are usually homeless due to mental health & addiction issues (so will just buy alcohol/drugs), or they are scammers/organised gangs from places like Romania. They also need to want to be helped but many will refuse help as they would need to get clean/abide by any hostel rules etc and they don’t want to do that or just can’t manage to. Homelessness is a very complex issue and giving them money can do more harm than good. Donate to charity or give the genuine ones food instead.

Then why bring up the rare cases of those who aren't in need, rather than talk about the absolute tragedies he does come across?
You both will be well aware of how underfunding has impacted which crimes can be responded to and the OP's woes, on why is it allowed, couldn't have a better person than you to explain what your DP deals with instead of making the place look tidier.

Addiction is the main issue. Funding drug dealers won’t fix that.

If you aren’t aware of the housing crisis in this country then you must have been living under a rock OP. Poor sods. The government are trying to pledge the building of more homes but they’re up against people like you who don’t want them built near them. You know how cold it feels some nights when you go out to the recycling bins. Imagine living on the streets in that. Then again, they’ve got their rags to keep them warm. Have a little read of A Christmas Carol and find some love in your heart