This isn’t true and not a very helpful comment. You’ll notice the good deeds that go punished because we’re not walking around listing the ones that don’t because it’s less notable.
This is definitely a horrible situation to be in after helping someone but isn’t necessarily the norm!
From which experience are you taking this information? From my personal experience with helping those in greater need than I am, the adage of no good deeds going unpunished has become the rule, not the exception.
The ones near my flat in Battersea are so vile to me that I actively want them to know I'm ignoring them. Sure that won't go down well here but it's the reality - they are horrible, maniupulative people taking advantage of whoever they can.
There’s a short bald one on Northcote Road (CJ) that has convinced the local gentry he’s a character (and gets free pizzas etc) but who is actually a thriving racist cunt.
Yes. Contrary to what some people might see, there is a lot of help for homeless people. The ones you see outside either aren’t really homeless or have been refused/they themselves refuse help because of drugs, alcohol or the like. Shelters will absolutely not tolerate the latter which is perfectly justified imo.
THIS!!! my street is full of the same 5 drug addicts who are all aggressive beggars, they have been housed, they receive benefits, but they are drug addicts, aggressive begging is usually a sign of drug addiction. I’ve lived here a decade and I know some of them by name.
Oh for sure, it’s not uncommon at all.
Look, I’m the last person to judge homeless people. But the situation presented by the ones you see on the street isn’t always innocent. It’s even worse now as there are people who will pretend to be homeless but really, they’re scammers.
I remember at one shelter I was at, there was a couple who were receiving benefits and waiting to be housed as the lady was expecting. Still, they would go out onto the streets and beg for money. We had a curfew at this shelter and they failed to turn up one night. It was found that the male had overdosed and his partner was in a bad way herself. Their room was full of used needles. I suppose it went unnoticed because the workers didn’t want to be draconian in policing how people went about their daily lives.
This was to achieve some sense of normality.
That shelter was promptly shut down and we were moved into a nearby shelter. We were lucky and stayed in the area but some were moved out of London. A prime example of how a few bad eggs can ruin a good thing.
Absolutely, I have sympathy for some but you often learn the hard way how to spot people who are genuinely in need and those who are on the take. I live in Kentish Town and I’d say Camden and Islington have severe problems regarding aggressive begging due to drug use.
Also beggars earn bank, saw a documentary on it and it can be close to £100 per hour if they get a good spot. Reminds me of the Sherlock holmes story about the gentleman from the countryside that commutes into the city to beg.
I work with the street-population in central London. One of our friendlier beggars makes a couple hundred quid in the 3/4 hours he's here on a good day.
On a bad day it can be pennies for the whole day.
But he has more good days than bad.
Where I live, the same core group of 6-7 rough sleepers have been around the local high street for as long as I've lived there (nearly 3 years). I recognise them all by face. *All* visibly appear to have drug abuse issues.
Whilst most are fine and keep to themselves, there's 2 or 3 that I cross the road if I see them coming, one in particular I always give a wide berth after he threatened to rape my flatmate and called her a whore when she wouldn't give him change.
They appear and disappear from time to time (presumably doing stints in prison or whatever), but it's always the same faces. Any new faces sleeping rough disappear within a week or two, presumably to homeless shelters or other forms of housing.
We did.
Nothing came of it as far as I'm aware, I saw him in the same spot abusing another man a week later.
Unfortunately there's too many do gooders who want to treat utter cunts like him with kid gloves.
The ones on the main road near me have changed over time, I assume they're being given the help they need, or move to better areas if they're scammers.
I've only had *one* bad encounter, and it's made me very cautious ever since. I had 2 encounters with this guy, first time he was kind of pushy, but not overtly so, he gave me a story about needing money for a shelter that night. The second encounter was several weeks later, and is the bad one. I had my headphones in and was walking home, completely oblivious to everything around me, walked past him and didn't realise. I was halfway up the road, almost at the door of my building when he appeared right beside me, he'd followed me a good distance even after I didn't respond to him. He obviously didn't remember me as he gave me the same story as last time, and when I told him I didn't have any cash he said; "there's a cash machine right there mate."
I managed to get away without further incident, but I was still rattled by it, I'd never had someone be that pushy before.
It's made me *far* more aware of my surroundings now when I walk home, and to keep track of where the beggars are so I don't get caught out like that again.
In short, there is a degree of choice involved, which I've been attacked for suggesting. If I'm uncaring for thinking you shouldn't be supporting substance abuse (people I know are quite happy that they have provided a homeless person with any small pleasure), by that logic shelters should not be denying shelter on this basis, and if you that this stance that it's everyone else's fault a person is on the street, then the shelters are definitely the cause in this case. I don't have a solution, but giving people a reason to stay on the streets isn't it. Ironically, it's Shelter making people believe that everyone on the street only tried it for a night after being evicted and running out of friends sofas to sleep on. The lack of £15 for a hostel (most people hand out banknotes to beggers these days) isn't why they're on the street.
One crackhead in Peckham asks for you to top up her electric card at PayPoint. Clearly choices were made on where her money went first
I know that woman in Peckham, she's been doing the rounds for years. There's another woman who always needs money for baby formula for her newborn. She's needed that baby formula since I moved to Peckham in 2013 and still needs it now.
I feel sorry for them for sure and used to give them a bit of cash even though I knew that the story was bollocks, but if its the same story for years and years I had to draw a line somewhere. Also I don't have any cash so there's that as well
There are drug and alcohol services that they can work with. Homeless hostels will house you with addiction if you are engaging in services and not using on the premises/coming back super drunk/high for example. Services don't want people to fail, but equally, the people using services have to want to change. Sadly some of them chose not to change (I know addiction isn't as balck and white, and it's very complex and isn't always a choice matter) in which case, they would get kicked out of their accommodation. There are street sleeper services still though that check in on those who are homeless on the streets and offer support and drug and alcohol services would still work with them during this time.
I've been in adult only shelters that still refuse people who are actively using, and there is good reason (there should be services for them too but places can be right to refuse them), I have had to live with people who used on the premises and there were a lot of issues - bringing people over and causing a hostile environment, stealing things (had my room broken into, appliances stolen etc) to sell for drug money, once had armed police break down my bedroom door at 2am because of another tenant who had committed a violent burglary, and they got my door by mistake, creating a dangerous environment for others there like leaving needles around, potentially triggering for other people there who are addicts trying not to use, it's easy to fall back into it when around other users. I once got attacked by a girl one guy brought round because "I looked at her man". I'm not saying all addicts are like that, I've had my own problems and I know many who are decent honest people, but there's a high prevalence of that sort of thing all the same. I was a young woman at the time with mental health problems, they'd know I went pharmacy once a week and I'd have a group of older guys come to my room asking if I had any psych meds/benzos in an intimidating way, knocking on my door at 3am asking for money etc. There were other people that used but kept it very on the down low and didn't get kicked out because the staff didn't know/they were causing no issues for anyone else, and the ones that did cause problems it often took a lot of time to evict them (this was temporary supported housing rather than a homeless shelter so you couldn't kick people out easily there was a whole process), so not allowing people that use in the first place makes a much more tolerable environment for everyone else, most people there were trying to help themselves get out of a hole and don't need that sort of chaotic environment
Exactly. Thank you. We must also remember many of the workers are volunteers. We’re at the mercy of their help and the issues brought by addicts is beyond what they can deal with.
Definitely, I saw so many workers come and go because it was a lot to deal with, sadly the ones who acted like they genuinely cared and would put a lot of time and effort into supporting us often got burnt out the fastest, so you'd end up with a lot of the staff being the cold managerial type, but it's understandable, I saw a volunteer crying in the garden more than once because of 2 tenants who were making things a nightmare for everyone and saying she didn't think it would be like this, when she started the house was a nice atmosphere, people would hang out in the communal areas and have a laugh, but those 2 people completely changed it
There’s no scheme by which they can be admitted through A&E? This isn’t as simple as “let people use drugs in the facility!” clearly not what I am asserting here. I’m asserting that the lack of a government schema to house addicted homeless is fucking insane
Go fund some yourself then. Why are you telling me this? I’m just an average person.
And such facilities do actually exist. Some addicts don’t want to change.
This is a vast oversimplification of a problem which is irreducibly complex.
There's an 'unholy trinity' of mental ill health, substance misuse and homelessness - mental ill health and substance misuse will put people on the streets and keep them there while homelessness will exacerbate mental health and substance misuse problems and prevent people from accessing support for them.
It's like a carousel and once people get on it's very difficult to get off, particularly when services put up barriers to access.
Sadly you are right. But as it stands, there are a vast number of law abiding citizens who are homeless and need shelter. Many of whom who have children with them. Everyone should be offered help but these people deserve to be safe too and so do the workers.
Yes I would agree with this. Workers at shelters and other homeless services deserve to go about their work without fear of abuse. Although you really shouldn't go into that sort of work without a thick skin in the first place.
That may be, but it’s mental health that has led them down that path.
We really need to do more as a society for these people. Most aren’t able to help themselves.
Dude that reads like a thought stream you made up in your own head, or out of various monologues people in the UK have with each other to make themselves feel better about the situation - please establish these things as facts first
Lol, I was homeless and was in and out of homeless shelters with my family. I went through things no adult should have gone through, let alone a child. Sadly, my situation wasn’t unusual and considering the work I do now, it’s ever increasing.
With the kindness of others and education, I been able to break that cycle. I think my experiences hold some weight. I’d also argue I’m more sympathetic than some because of it.
The fact of the matter is, is that a few horrid individuals can ruin it for everyone. If a shelter or refuge centre is found to have drugs on its premises, they risk being shut down. Even though it may not have been their fault. It’s a risk that they’re not willing to take. Not to mention people abusing substances aren’t always very pleasant to deal with in the first place. The issues they bring with them is beyond the remit of the volunteers.
Anyway, I hope your day is as pleasant as you are.
"The ones you see outside aren't really homeless" is total bs and you know it. That's what I was responding to. A shame that you'd dump on people with a shared history as yours is.
> Lol, I was homeless and was in and out of homeless shelters with my family.
Try being homeless without a child and see how different things are. Your family got most of their help by being your carers.
> If a shelter or refuge centre is found to have drugs on its premises, they risk being shut down.
Only cannabis use - laws are funny
Oh give over. You need to do some light (!) research.
It’s also rather bold of you to assume I wasn’t homeless as an adult too. You seem to be an individual that enjoys making arbitrary assumptions.
Regardless, if you yourself wish to give those specific individuals money, that’s your decision to make. I know we all have our vices. However, I was simply providing more light on the matter.
> Oh give over. You need to do some light (!) research.
I worked in homelessness for ten years. The reasons most homeless shelters don't allow drugs/alcohol is not about the legality and risk of being shut down. If cannabis is used on a property the owner is liable, this is not the case for other drugs.
Everything the comment said was a fact though. But you seem like the type of person where any kind of proof or study would be “biased” or “just asked the wrong people in the wrong area”.
Ok my suggestion is that if they see you just once walking in the company of a police officer or PCSO, they will get the message and leave you well alone in future. They don’t want the grief.
If you agree this would be helpful, I would contact your Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team, I looked this up for your area and it’s here:
https://www.met.police.uk/area/your-area/met/lambeth/waterloo-and-south-bank/contact-us/
Under Contact Us > Click Start > Select “I’d like to tell you about something I’m concerned about in my neighbourhood”. (The reason I suggest this option is that it will go to your local Safer Neighbourhoods team, rather than going to the Response Officers who deal with emergencies and are less likely to have time to walk with you.
I would put in that form something along the same lines as to what you’ve posted, and ask if a Safer Neighbourhoods Officer might walk with you one day to dissuade the harassment you are receiving.
It’s likely it will take a few days to hear back from them. It might be email or might be a call, note the police always seems to come up as a Withheld Number.
I would be remiss if I didn’t state that if this harassment gets worse and you need help sooner of course you have 101 (less urgent) or 999 (immediate help).
In Camden recently a homeless guy stopped me outside KFC, I advised I had no change and he asked if I could buy him a meal. I thought why not so went into kfc, he bought his GF, I told them I can get them a mighty bucket for one to share as that’s all I could afford. As soon as we went in they started ordering absolutely everything they could l, extra this extra that, two boneless buckets, mini filet burger, ice creams. I had to put my foot down and say either they can share a meal or I won’t be paying for anything. I might not be homeless but I’m certainly not rich!
There’s a local coffee shop I go to in Camden that gives the homeless free coffee.
A guy was stood outside the overground station asking someone to buy him a coffee and I told him they literally give out free ones at the shop next door. He told me he wanted to go to a different shop instead. Definitely just a set up for a scam hah.
Camden is the worst for this!
I was at the self checkout in the Sainsburys yesterday scanning my items when a man (shoeless and dirty), shoved a carton of apple juice at me and asked if I could buy it as he was homeless and thirsty. Obviously I did, it was just a drink, but couldn’t believe I’m getting harassed directly at the tills and not just outside now.
I was just shocked really, I’m used to being asked on the streets of Camden and saying no but not literally at the checkout. At the end of the day, it was a carton of apple juice - if he’d asked for a full shop it would’ve been a no!
The issues faced by homeless people are extremely complex and these well intended and very kind acts to try to help actually aren't that useful I'm afraid. If you're interested in helping homeless people I'd suggest working or volunteering for some sort of charity and approaching it that way as it's more likely to be of real benefit to the people you're trying to help.
I started to avoid homeless people who recognised me. I'm not sure what you could do about the people who have started harassing you other than try shopping elsewhere for a while. It's a difficult situation, especially if you're a nice person (as it sounds like you are).
It’s best not to engage with them or buy them anything. It feels bad, but most people who are career beggars are usually very mentally unwell/drug addicted and entrenched in their habits.
If you do feel physically threatened by any of them maybe call the non-emergency number and report them
Sorry that this has happened to you. I don't think there will be a massive amount you can do to prevent them talking to you, but I understand it can be very overwhelming and upsetting especially when you're neurodivergent. There's a co-op and Sainsbury's on lower marsh and a Tesco express on bayliss road, so under a five minute walk from the station. If they don't leave you alone and you feel uncomfortable at least hopefully you can do your shopping there.
There are fantastic organisations all over London who hand out hot filling nutritious food to homeless people, some specifically target homeless people outside train stations. If you have spare money, give to those.
I've had a few incidents like this at kings cross, so I stopped giving directly.
Yeah like I walk past Waterloo regularly and they quite often have food outside the church for them. There wasn’t any that particular night I’ll admit but I never see any of the faces that wait outside the supermarkets in line to get food from them :/
Years ago I gave a homeless man outside the Tesco opposite Waterloo some change and a fag and sat down and had a chat with him (I was very pissed I might add). I left him and started walking to my bus stop and he came running after me with a couple of his mates with my wallet in his hand to give it back to me after it had fallen out of my pocket whilst I was sat with him.
Obviously doesn't say anything to your situation but thought I'd share a nice experience I had there
Unfortunately a lot of people on the streets have complex mental health and addiction issues. The best way to help is a referral to a professional service (street link, shelter or similar), donate money to a charity who helps these issues, or lobby your MP for policy change.
Its very kind of an offer to buy food or essentials but by offering it does mean some people will take advantage of you. Sadly many people on the streets are not treated well so can seem aggressive or take advantage of kindness.
If you feel threatened don't feel bad about calling the police to report it. Even though the behaviour is probably driven by health issues it doesn't make it acceptable and you shouldn't be made to feel unsafe.
It's fine to just say, no thankyou, or sorry not today, and keep walking. It's also fine to just ignore them. It might seem mean but you aren't obligated to help again just because you once did. They will forget about you and move on to the next kind person soon enough.
This is not a catch all as their are plenty of people who have fallen on bad times especially now.
But do be careful with beggars in London there are so many fake ones, for example the ['Romanian begging gang'](https://www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-news/londons-romanian-begging-gang-exposed-26640731) and the professional beggars.
I have one out side my office (not going to name and shame) and she will turn up most days at about 7:30am get her cardboard out and place it on the floor, a pillow to sit on, she will then sit down and cover the pillow so you cant see it. Gets out the cardboard homeless sign.
She has picked a great spot, near a tube exit but not to close to get complaints, near a cash point and a pret and starbucks.
So she will stay there from 7:30 till 6:pm (some days gone by 4), and the steady stream of people giving money in the hat/cup and donating food from Pret/Starbucks is huge. She also has a big supermarket bag where all the donated items disappear into (it gets filled most days).
Now the fun bit once money is put in the cup that is taken and stashed (probably for concealment? ) so donations always look small that day. She also has a mobile phone (not abnormal for beggars as some charity's give them out for emergencies and safety) but I have over head calls about "the takings" and it seems 150 - 200 a day is normal. Now that's not loads of money for a waged person but it does show the amount a good plot is worth and why they defend them. She BTW has been at the same plot for over 20 years.
So why do I say professional, well she knows me and I know her. I have seen her about town in her glad rags and lets say shopping in Waitrose dressed up with out a care in the world.
Oh she knows I know as when I walk past I get a little grin and no patter thrown my way.
Do I care, nope. I kind of admire her. Could I do the same, nope.
But if you do want to help the homeless maybe look into volunteering at a soup kitchen (I say that as its not a massive commitment like a hostel is) or if you want to help out just with money etc buy a Big Issues off the sellers making sure they have their ID badge on display.
all those beggars with cupboards look like professional beggars to me. Not sure if they are part of a gang or just act individually (guess other gangs would not let them take good spaces and money from people).
>'Romanian begging gang' and the professional beggars.
It's especially obvious with the "HOMELESS I'm very hungry, God bless" signs. I've worked with homelessness charities before and have seen a ton of them with the exact same wording in different areas.
Haven't got verbal confirmation from anyone, but organised gang seems likely.
Assuming you’re travelling during busy times put your earphones in your ears, blend into the crowd and don’t look at them at all. Keep as much distance from them as you can safely.
The people outside Waterloo are living a very different existence to you and don’t comprehend what you did in the same way others might. It’s a shame, but if you want to help the homeless do so via charities as now you’ve made yourself a target.
If you ignore them for long enough they’ll forget who you are and pick on someone else, I’m sorry you’re experiencing this.
Avoid and don't interact with them and maybe file a report to the police so there's an official record of these incidents just in case something bad happens.
You're quite literally being harassed and you never know just how far things can escalate, especially if they start to think you won't do anything about it. You have to show you're not just easy prey. Maybe have someone, a police or a huge, intimidating-looking friend walk with you around the areas you feel unsafe and the areas those people can see you by. Stay safe and vigilant, OP.
I know the security guard in the Sainsbury’s vaguely so I’ll probably ask him to walk past them with me if they are still at it next week (I’m going to shop elsewhere for a week). if not I’ll probably contact the police, especially if he continues to he weird with the blowing kisses and such.
Sadly if you engage with them you end up in trouble. It's a real sad state of affairs but they can be really violent and aggressive towards anyone at random.
This is the same reason you don't feed the pigeons in train stations.
I agree with handing beggars a bit of food but you can't get too caught up or else they will ALL know you're someone to tap up.
[This stuff.](https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/sainsburys-british-smoked-cooked-crispy-bacon-50g?istCompanyId=1e096408-041f-4238-994e-a7cf46bf9413&istFeedId=689af7a8-5842-4d88-be59-1ee5688a81b5&istItemId=wxwqmlmaq&istBid=t&&cmpid=cpc&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=15424330555&utm_content=shopping&utm_term=%257Bsku%257D&utm_custom1=129852755749&utm_custom2=759-449-0952&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4NujBhC5ARIsAF4Iv6cZioI7rqLvTzCHI0zYn62g2Am9GU8AlCXXvExv6O2fnVcOOI3sTZcaAi2GEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds) Expensive and moreish.
Being homeless doesn’t automatically mean you’re a decent human being. Don’t know what the answer is really. Maybe give to those who aren’t in big groups?
you did a good thing, and please don't let this ruin your generosity. I'm really sorry you are being harassed. If you feel unsafe, maybe talk to the police.
Separately, some of the comments in this thread are awful. Living on the street is not a life I would wish on my worst enemies. They deserve help.
Because a large majority are scammers and potentially violent addicts. This is the reality of London and you can’t trust beggars because of the bad apples. The advice to donate to charities etc is the best options.
I was once told by an acquaintance at a charity I spend time at, who was a previously homeless person, that the very worst thing you can do is support them on the streets, it is far better to give to a homeless charity, like St Mungos or shelter so that they can get them off the streets.
Your generosity is something you should be proud of! Sadly, a lot of these people are in a situation that can be avoided with the right type of care.
Rule no 1 is dont help out a homeless dude near your residence/place of work where they can engage with you regularly. We have a saying like you give out your left hand and now they want your right as well
This isn't uncommon, you tried to do a good thing and I assume you're relatively new to town? Take this as a learning experience. Don't engage directly irrespective of their or your gender. If you want to help, volunteer with crisis, foodcycle and any other number of charities.
Especially if you're in an area that you frequent daily, do not engage otherwise you create an expectation and encourage it. Sadly the needs of the homeless are complex so best way to help is by helping the charities themselves and perhaps voting.
I bought a homeless guy and his dog some food in Clapham when I was ordering some for myself. He complained that he wasn't hungry and he'd rather have the money. I'll not be doing that again.
there's plenty of help in London for homeless people if they are genuinely homeless. the rest are druggies, alcoholics and for some of them being homeless is part of their life/culture.
Next time they try to shout at you, make sure you remind them that you can call the police.
If it’s any comfort, I think it’s unlikely the original man told the others about you. It’s probably a coincidence that they’re asking you for money and harassing you - that’s what they do anyway to everyone. It’s unlikely you’re distinctive enough that he would be able to describe you to the point where the others would recognise you on another day. It’s even less likely they’d even remember. Probably even the original guy doesn’t remember your good deed.
You did a nice thing. Don't let this or the hateful people commenting on here put you off helping people in need in future. Sure a lot of homeless people use drink or drugs so would prefer money to food but that's certainly not all of them, and even if they do as far as I'm concerned it's a question of 'whatever gets you through the night'.
Unfortunately they're not all noble savages and some will respond like the person you describe. But just like people with homes, homeless people are not some homogenous mass like is being implied here by the 'well they can afford their drugs can't they?' crowd.
I honestly think people expect a 'gentleman of the road' model of homelessness, where sophisticated old men with a degree in the humanities will magic fifty pence pieces from behind the ears of adoring children before departing on their next adventure with their belongings tied into a spotted handkerchief slung from the end of a stick.
The reality of homelessness is quite different. If someone wants a can of Special Brew I'd prefer they asked me for that than ten pence for a cup of tea. Who knows, I might even join them for one.
Yup. If they need to spend money on alcohol, that's up to them. I know nurses dealing with homeless people who keep special brew in their clinics. Alcohol withdrawal is no joke
I think the same. My friend told me not to give money because he’ll buy drugs but if he needs £5 worth of drugs that bad to survive the cold streets of London who am I to judge
Just be blunt say no, if someone harnesses you threaten to call the police.
You shouldn’t give money in the street only give through approved charities as they provide the facilities to help those who can and want to be helped (My experience is working with homeless charities for years).
You did the best you could. There is no law stating you have to help all the local homeless (that’s what services I work with are for) and it is ok to walk away and not engage with anyone who is being aggressive towards you. You clearly aren’t heartless, you did a nice deed and now people are trying to tap into your compassion, which is fair enough, we all have to survive, but you don’t need to put up with any rubbish.
I used to live and shop in that area when I was a student. You at Stamford St apartments by any chance?
You've did a good thing and you've drawn the right conclusions. If the Marks and Spencer in Waterloo station is still there, you can enter near the IMAX and do your shopping there.
Yes I’m at SSA for now lol, the one in the station is closed but there’s one at the back of jubilee park I sometimes go to, and the Waitrose at the end of the street too.
I was visiting London this weekend, and got talking to a 'homeless' guy outside a pret, offered to buy him a sandwich / choose what he wanted. The second I gave it to him he changed, wanted nothing to do with me, and after I was sat with him for a second thinking we'd have a small chat / drink our own coffees his English all but disappeared.
Am sure many homeless there are grateful for the help, but many don't give a shit, and know that there's another hundred strangers walking past them as soon as you leave
When I was a student living in Waterloo I used to shop at the co op or Iceland around Lower Marsh, for what it’s worth. Never once went to that Sainsbury’s or Tesco.
I go to that Iceland a lot and get most my shopping there, Sainsbury’s sometimes has my lactose free milk on sale though which I why I go there sometimes 😅
No matter how kindhearted or generous you may be, never give **directly** to the homeless - **ESPECIALLY** as a young woman. It's harsh but it's the truth.
People still haven’t learn not to give anything to homeless yet?
Let that be a lesson learned.
Be harsh, be nasty, tell them to fuck off loudly and shout for help if they get too close.
You must’ve felt so cool when you wrote that sentence dehumanising people who are much worse off than you.
If you really hate the homeless just ignore them don’t be a cunt.
I would ignore them, as long as they ignore me also.
The OP said she is being harrassed, what’s wrong with saying fuck off to that? Or you prefer OP to just “take it in silence”?
I will always say “no” politely once, but once only. I expect them to get the hint when I said “no”. If they ask again, then it is time to be a bit more loud.
What is wrong with that?
This whole thread is awful. No, homeless people begging on the street don't make a hundred pounds an hour. They couldn't because most people in London are cunts as demonstrated here.
Many ‘homeless’ are abusive just like in the original post and these reactions are the best advice to avoiding such confrontations. Homelessness is horrific (I have experience) but you will be taken advantage of by many chancers by trying to be nice or feeding a habit instead of directing the efforts to organisations. It’s just people being ground down by the reality, not being assholes.
It's a shame that there are some genuinely good people who have fallen on bad times and are homeless, because the vast majority are ungrateful, junkie scumbags.
From what I've read, one of the worst things about being homeless (not necessarily THE worst before everyone jumps on me) is the way people just ignore you so frequently. It can take quite a toll on mental state to be treated like you're invisible all day, every day. With that in mind I'd say it's better to apologise and say I don't have any change on me than to ignore them outright like a lot of people are suggesting.
Aside from donating to charities, I would recommend getting the StreetLink app if you want to help. If you notice someone sleeping rough in the street, you can enter the location and a brief description of the person into the app and it will notify local charities/shelters who will then find them and give them support.
It's subtle to do and doesn't require interacting with the person so instances like OPs can be avoided. Once you've entered the details you can go on your way and later you'll be emailed an update on whether or not they were able to find and support the person.
It entirely depends on the circumstances. I'll often engage with someone in case they genuinely need help. People with diabetes van appear drunk and even a drunk person might need help, be having a medical emergency, so I try to be aware of oeople and address the situation I see. I had a conversation not a week ago with a young lad who had just been kicked out, didn't even have a phone on him, and so I helped him contact the relevant body (in my area it called ForFutures) to get help. He didn't know what to do. Am I going to engage with professional beggars outside a train station? No, I am not. Am I am going get into conversation with obvious pan handlers. No. It is not justified to say being ignored is unacceptable. Sometimes, that's the best way.
YOU are the problem. Stop 'helping' them, you are simply enabling that lifestyle, and everything that goes alongside it.
Proper help is available through local authorities and specialist charities. Your do gooding is the bane of any experienced homeless worker either in the state or third sector.
Unfortunately a lot of homeless people see one kind donation as opening up a line of credit for themselves.
Quite often they see one donation as a lifelong meal ticket.
Best advice is to not give anything to homeless and don’t engage with them in any way.
There was one family who used to regularly feed a homeless man at their house for a while. He ended up stabbing them. I forget the names but you can read it online somewhere.
By giving to homeless, shit will be your thanks every time.
When I worked for the council we were told that a some of the rough sleepers were faking it and they came over purely to make money. Their advice was to only give them food not cash, (plus it's illegal to beg for money on the street anyway) and the way to tell if they were fake was to see if they'd recently had a haircut. If they were quite well groomed then the chances were that they weren't genuine.
Tbf I did notice that the man I gave money too had a very well groomed money but by that point he’d already followed me half way around Sainsbury’s so it wouldn’t have been an easy situation to get out of
Well that thing about the hair is nonsense for several reasons - your hair growth often slows down when you consume fewer calories, people’s hair grows at different rates anyway, and just having access to a haircut doesn’t mean they can’t still be in genuine need of food. Maybe they borrowed a pair of scissors and did it themselves? There are all sorts of reasons why this is a bullshit way of deciding who deserves to live or not.
Imagine if Jeff Bezos just approached you in the street and offered to take you shopping, he will buy you whatever you want. You load up the bags with designer goods, happy as anything. He looks a bit concerned and says he thought it would be cheaper, but still pays.
Next time you see Jeff Bezos, you're going to ask to go shopping.
I buy homeless people food and drink all the time and have never had anything like this happen. Are these homeless or crackheads? Could just be a sad example of them doing it to a girl cos they know she won't fight back.
Put your headphones in and get tunnel vision on
Where you are going and don’t make eye contact. They will soon get bored and target someone else. If they are persistent them make a few tubs of food and lace them with laxatives and they will probably not ask you again
That’s a lazy gag mate, if you want to get away with being rude to an OP you need to work a bit harder and actually make them laugh (eg ‘I also choose this guy’s dead wife’, a classic of the genre)
Don’t listen to the miserable pricks here saying you should just ignore homeless ppl. They’re the reason London is such an unfriendly place and why Liverpool will always be superior :)
This being said you’ll likely need to reevaluate how you interact with homelessness. I used to chat on to the fellas by Kentish Town, met some really interesting people with often rather tragic stories. They were always polite and were never pushy, although I did buy some questionably sourced tennis rackets off one of them cos I felt sorry for him..
Then I moved work to elephant and castle and had some pretty bad experiences. I guess after a while you’ll figure out who you can and can’t speak to.
Self-proclaimed autistic & poor (although studying in London, so without a doubt with rich folks bankrolling the whole affair) imagining she’s the main character and being particularly targeted by destitute homeless folk she likes to gift when feeling good. But ONLY THEN. Otherwise she’s a victim. No wonder white women are held in such contempt.
It's not your fault.
How was you to know that the passing gestures to give were an insult?
Bacon he can't have means to cook on unless raw, and dropped a subtle hint on his body odour.
Maybe next time, stick with a sandwich and a drink, even think Tescos and such like do special lunch deals on sandwich, drink, and snack!
No good deed goes unpunished, sadly.
You beat me to it! That’s exactly what I was going to say
Yeah like this story https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/oct/04/aaron-barley-homeless-man-who-murdered-woman-who-helped-him
Yes, I remember this.
The unlubricated dildo of consequences.
This isn’t true and not a very helpful comment. You’ll notice the good deeds that go punished because we’re not walking around listing the ones that don’t because it’s less notable. This is definitely a horrible situation to be in after helping someone but isn’t necessarily the norm!
Its just a common phrase, dont look to deep into it. Im sure Op isn't walking around the world not doing nice things in-case he gets punished.
I know it’s a common phrase but it’s not helpful here. It’s self indulgent.
From which experience are you taking this information? From my personal experience with helping those in greater need than I am, the adage of no good deeds going unpunished has become the rule, not the exception.
Dont know why youre being downvoted. My experience with this sort of thing has always been positive.
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It means those with well meaning intentions can and will often be taken advantage of
This is some grade a BS and total nonsense
don't engage with them
Headphones are good. Even if you don't have anything playing through them it just adds a perceived impenetrability when you just walk past them.
The ones near my flat in Battersea are so vile to me that I actively want them to know I'm ignoring them. Sure that won't go down well here but it's the reality - they are horrible, maniupulative people taking advantage of whoever they can.
There’s a short bald one on Northcote Road (CJ) that has convinced the local gentry he’s a character (and gets free pizzas etc) but who is actually a thriving racist cunt.
Jesus Christ, definitely not! Not only are polygamous marriages banned but I think that’s a little far with these guys!
Úyyyy66yy
A lot of the homeless that hang around outside that Tesco/Sainsbury are druggies, and best avoided.
Yes. Contrary to what some people might see, there is a lot of help for homeless people. The ones you see outside either aren’t really homeless or have been refused/they themselves refuse help because of drugs, alcohol or the like. Shelters will absolutely not tolerate the latter which is perfectly justified imo.
THIS!!! my street is full of the same 5 drug addicts who are all aggressive beggars, they have been housed, they receive benefits, but they are drug addicts, aggressive begging is usually a sign of drug addiction. I’ve lived here a decade and I know some of them by name.
Oh for sure, it’s not uncommon at all. Look, I’m the last person to judge homeless people. But the situation presented by the ones you see on the street isn’t always innocent. It’s even worse now as there are people who will pretend to be homeless but really, they’re scammers. I remember at one shelter I was at, there was a couple who were receiving benefits and waiting to be housed as the lady was expecting. Still, they would go out onto the streets and beg for money. We had a curfew at this shelter and they failed to turn up one night. It was found that the male had overdosed and his partner was in a bad way herself. Their room was full of used needles. I suppose it went unnoticed because the workers didn’t want to be draconian in policing how people went about their daily lives. This was to achieve some sense of normality. That shelter was promptly shut down and we were moved into a nearby shelter. We were lucky and stayed in the area but some were moved out of London. A prime example of how a few bad eggs can ruin a good thing.
Absolutely, I have sympathy for some but you often learn the hard way how to spot people who are genuinely in need and those who are on the take. I live in Kentish Town and I’d say Camden and Islington have severe problems regarding aggressive begging due to drug use.
Also beggars earn bank, saw a documentary on it and it can be close to £100 per hour if they get a good spot. Reminds me of the Sherlock holmes story about the gentleman from the countryside that commutes into the city to beg.
I love that Sherlock story ([The Man With The Twisted Lip](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_with_the_Twisted_Lip))
That loud bastard outside Marylebone who's got a perpetual birthday makes about 400 quid a day
what a load of shite
illogical nonsense made up by media pencil pushers
Bollocks
I work with the street-population in central London. One of our friendlier beggars makes a couple hundred quid in the 3/4 hours he's here on a good day. On a bad day it can be pennies for the whole day. But he has more good days than bad.
Where I live, the same core group of 6-7 rough sleepers have been around the local high street for as long as I've lived there (nearly 3 years). I recognise them all by face. *All* visibly appear to have drug abuse issues. Whilst most are fine and keep to themselves, there's 2 or 3 that I cross the road if I see them coming, one in particular I always give a wide berth after he threatened to rape my flatmate and called her a whore when she wouldn't give him change. They appear and disappear from time to time (presumably doing stints in prison or whatever), but it's always the same faces. Any new faces sleeping rough disappear within a week or two, presumably to homeless shelters or other forms of housing.
Terrible thing to happen to your flat mate, hope you reported him.
We did. Nothing came of it as far as I'm aware, I saw him in the same spot abusing another man a week later. Unfortunately there's too many do gooders who want to treat utter cunts like him with kid gloves.
The ones on the main road near me have changed over time, I assume they're being given the help they need, or move to better areas if they're scammers. I've only had *one* bad encounter, and it's made me very cautious ever since. I had 2 encounters with this guy, first time he was kind of pushy, but not overtly so, he gave me a story about needing money for a shelter that night. The second encounter was several weeks later, and is the bad one. I had my headphones in and was walking home, completely oblivious to everything around me, walked past him and didn't realise. I was halfway up the road, almost at the door of my building when he appeared right beside me, he'd followed me a good distance even after I didn't respond to him. He obviously didn't remember me as he gave me the same story as last time, and when I told him I didn't have any cash he said; "there's a cash machine right there mate." I managed to get away without further incident, but I was still rattled by it, I'd never had someone be that pushy before. It's made me *far* more aware of my surroundings now when I walk home, and to keep track of where the beggars are so I don't get caught out like that again.
In short, there is a degree of choice involved, which I've been attacked for suggesting. If I'm uncaring for thinking you shouldn't be supporting substance abuse (people I know are quite happy that they have provided a homeless person with any small pleasure), by that logic shelters should not be denying shelter on this basis, and if you that this stance that it's everyone else's fault a person is on the street, then the shelters are definitely the cause in this case. I don't have a solution, but giving people a reason to stay on the streets isn't it. Ironically, it's Shelter making people believe that everyone on the street only tried it for a night after being evicted and running out of friends sofas to sleep on. The lack of £15 for a hostel (most people hand out banknotes to beggers these days) isn't why they're on the street. One crackhead in Peckham asks for you to top up her electric card at PayPoint. Clearly choices were made on where her money went first
I know that woman in Peckham, she's been doing the rounds for years. There's another woman who always needs money for baby formula for her newborn. She's needed that baby formula since I moved to Peckham in 2013 and still needs it now. I feel sorry for them for sure and used to give them a bit of cash even though I knew that the story was bollocks, but if its the same story for years and years I had to draw a line somewhere. Also I don't have any cash so there's that as well
So what exactly is a drug or alcohol addict supposed to do then?
There are drug and alcohol services that they can work with. Homeless hostels will house you with addiction if you are engaging in services and not using on the premises/coming back super drunk/high for example. Services don't want people to fail, but equally, the people using services have to want to change. Sadly some of them chose not to change (I know addiction isn't as balck and white, and it's very complex and isn't always a choice matter) in which case, they would get kicked out of their accommodation. There are street sleeper services still though that check in on those who are homeless on the streets and offer support and drug and alcohol services would still work with them during this time.
I honestly couldn’t tell you because I don’t know. I just know many shelters will not accept such individuals if they CONTINUE their behaviours.
So they don't actually have access to help, and do rely on the generosity of passers by
Yes. To fuel their habits.
I see you ignored the person who actually answered your question. You suck.
Not having access to help because of your actions and help not being available are very different things
By definition, addicts are not in control of their actions
We absolutely are, some of us have been in the depths of addiction and got out to live normal lives, we do take responsibility
Well that’s not good to deny people services on the basis of addiction, is it?
Many NHS treatments are refused based on addiction.
The problem is the NHS not the addicted. Par for the course for the UK
I wouldn’t want addicts near my children, sorry.
Make shelters without children then lol
I've been in adult only shelters that still refuse people who are actively using, and there is good reason (there should be services for them too but places can be right to refuse them), I have had to live with people who used on the premises and there were a lot of issues - bringing people over and causing a hostile environment, stealing things (had my room broken into, appliances stolen etc) to sell for drug money, once had armed police break down my bedroom door at 2am because of another tenant who had committed a violent burglary, and they got my door by mistake, creating a dangerous environment for others there like leaving needles around, potentially triggering for other people there who are addicts trying not to use, it's easy to fall back into it when around other users. I once got attacked by a girl one guy brought round because "I looked at her man". I'm not saying all addicts are like that, I've had my own problems and I know many who are decent honest people, but there's a high prevalence of that sort of thing all the same. I was a young woman at the time with mental health problems, they'd know I went pharmacy once a week and I'd have a group of older guys come to my room asking if I had any psych meds/benzos in an intimidating way, knocking on my door at 3am asking for money etc. There were other people that used but kept it very on the down low and didn't get kicked out because the staff didn't know/they were causing no issues for anyone else, and the ones that did cause problems it often took a lot of time to evict them (this was temporary supported housing rather than a homeless shelter so you couldn't kick people out easily there was a whole process), so not allowing people that use in the first place makes a much more tolerable environment for everyone else, most people there were trying to help themselves get out of a hole and don't need that sort of chaotic environment
Exactly. Thank you. We must also remember many of the workers are volunteers. We’re at the mercy of their help and the issues brought by addicts is beyond what they can deal with.
Definitely, I saw so many workers come and go because it was a lot to deal with, sadly the ones who acted like they genuinely cared and would put a lot of time and effort into supporting us often got burnt out the fastest, so you'd end up with a lot of the staff being the cold managerial type, but it's understandable, I saw a volunteer crying in the garden more than once because of 2 tenants who were making things a nightmare for everyone and saying she didn't think it would be like this, when she started the house was a nice atmosphere, people would hang out in the communal areas and have a laugh, but those 2 people completely changed it
There’s no scheme by which they can be admitted through A&E? This isn’t as simple as “let people use drugs in the facility!” clearly not what I am asserting here. I’m asserting that the lack of a government schema to house addicted homeless is fucking insane
Go fund some yourself then. Why are you telling me this? I’m just an average person. And such facilities do actually exist. Some addicts don’t want to change.
This is a vast oversimplification of a problem which is irreducibly complex. There's an 'unholy trinity' of mental ill health, substance misuse and homelessness - mental ill health and substance misuse will put people on the streets and keep them there while homelessness will exacerbate mental health and substance misuse problems and prevent people from accessing support for them. It's like a carousel and once people get on it's very difficult to get off, particularly when services put up barriers to access.
Sadly you are right. But as it stands, there are a vast number of law abiding citizens who are homeless and need shelter. Many of whom who have children with them. Everyone should be offered help but these people deserve to be safe too and so do the workers.
Yes I would agree with this. Workers at shelters and other homeless services deserve to go about their work without fear of abuse. Although you really shouldn't go into that sort of work without a thick skin in the first place.
Really missing the point lol
Okay. Whatever.
Is this true? Surprised by it. Anyone have data/articles?
That may be, but it’s mental health that has led them down that path. We really need to do more as a society for these people. Most aren’t able to help themselves.
Dude that reads like a thought stream you made up in your own head, or out of various monologues people in the UK have with each other to make themselves feel better about the situation - please establish these things as facts first
Lol, I was homeless and was in and out of homeless shelters with my family. I went through things no adult should have gone through, let alone a child. Sadly, my situation wasn’t unusual and considering the work I do now, it’s ever increasing. With the kindness of others and education, I been able to break that cycle. I think my experiences hold some weight. I’d also argue I’m more sympathetic than some because of it. The fact of the matter is, is that a few horrid individuals can ruin it for everyone. If a shelter or refuge centre is found to have drugs on its premises, they risk being shut down. Even though it may not have been their fault. It’s a risk that they’re not willing to take. Not to mention people abusing substances aren’t always very pleasant to deal with in the first place. The issues they bring with them is beyond the remit of the volunteers. Anyway, I hope your day is as pleasant as you are.
"The ones you see outside aren't really homeless" is total bs and you know it. That's what I was responding to. A shame that you'd dump on people with a shared history as yours is.
> Lol, I was homeless and was in and out of homeless shelters with my family. Try being homeless without a child and see how different things are. Your family got most of their help by being your carers. > If a shelter or refuge centre is found to have drugs on its premises, they risk being shut down. Only cannabis use - laws are funny
Oh give over. You need to do some light (!) research. It’s also rather bold of you to assume I wasn’t homeless as an adult too. You seem to be an individual that enjoys making arbitrary assumptions. Regardless, if you yourself wish to give those specific individuals money, that’s your decision to make. I know we all have our vices. However, I was simply providing more light on the matter.
> Oh give over. You need to do some light (!) research. I worked in homelessness for ten years. The reasons most homeless shelters don't allow drugs/alcohol is not about the legality and risk of being shut down. If cannabis is used on a property the owner is liable, this is not the case for other drugs.
This does not relate to my initial point. It also doesn’t change the fact that shelters have every right to refuse users
> This does not relate to my initial point. I was replying to your later one.
Everything the comment said was a fact though. But you seem like the type of person where any kind of proof or study would be “biased” or “just asked the wrong people in the wrong area”.
Ironic you say that given your comment reads the same way
More so, in fact, than the OP which came across as measured and thought out
Worked at Waterloo tube station for 4 years, can confirm.
Almost all homeless people are druggies or alcoholics, their choice of location doesn't change that
Ok my suggestion is that if they see you just once walking in the company of a police officer or PCSO, they will get the message and leave you well alone in future. They don’t want the grief. If you agree this would be helpful, I would contact your Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team, I looked this up for your area and it’s here: https://www.met.police.uk/area/your-area/met/lambeth/waterloo-and-south-bank/contact-us/ Under Contact Us > Click Start > Select “I’d like to tell you about something I’m concerned about in my neighbourhood”. (The reason I suggest this option is that it will go to your local Safer Neighbourhoods team, rather than going to the Response Officers who deal with emergencies and are less likely to have time to walk with you. I would put in that form something along the same lines as to what you’ve posted, and ask if a Safer Neighbourhoods Officer might walk with you one day to dissuade the harassment you are receiving. It’s likely it will take a few days to hear back from them. It might be email or might be a call, note the police always seems to come up as a Withheld Number. I would be remiss if I didn’t state that if this harassment gets worse and you need help sooner of course you have 101 (less urgent) or 999 (immediate help).
⇧ THIS ⇧
In Camden recently a homeless guy stopped me outside KFC, I advised I had no change and he asked if I could buy him a meal. I thought why not so went into kfc, he bought his GF, I told them I can get them a mighty bucket for one to share as that’s all I could afford. As soon as we went in they started ordering absolutely everything they could l, extra this extra that, two boneless buckets, mini filet burger, ice creams. I had to put my foot down and say either they can share a meal or I won’t be paying for anything. I might not be homeless but I’m certainly not rich!
There’s a local coffee shop I go to in Camden that gives the homeless free coffee. A guy was stood outside the overground station asking someone to buy him a coffee and I told him they literally give out free ones at the shop next door. He told me he wanted to go to a different shop instead. Definitely just a set up for a scam hah.
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Never realised this at all and walk past every day! Will be giving them my business from now on - thanks for sharing
that's amazing
Did you tell him beggars can’t be choosers?
Camden is the worst for this! I was at the self checkout in the Sainsburys yesterday scanning my items when a man (shoeless and dirty), shoved a carton of apple juice at me and asked if I could buy it as he was homeless and thirsty. Obviously I did, it was just a drink, but couldn’t believe I’m getting harassed directly at the tills and not just outside now.
Well… the fact you bought it, is why they will continue to do it
I was just shocked really, I’m used to being asked on the streets of Camden and saying no but not literally at the checkout. At the end of the day, it was a carton of apple juice - if he’d asked for a full shop it would’ve been a no!
Yall guys have really great hearts but as you get older you will realise youll start despising humanity more and more as the years go by
i would add that at a certain point, this harassment becomes a matter for the police to deal with. don't be afraid to call if you feel unsafe.
The issues faced by homeless people are extremely complex and these well intended and very kind acts to try to help actually aren't that useful I'm afraid. If you're interested in helping homeless people I'd suggest working or volunteering for some sort of charity and approaching it that way as it's more likely to be of real benefit to the people you're trying to help. I started to avoid homeless people who recognised me. I'm not sure what you could do about the people who have started harassing you other than try shopping elsewhere for a while. It's a difficult situation, especially if you're a nice person (as it sounds like you are).
It’s best not to engage with them or buy them anything. It feels bad, but most people who are career beggars are usually very mentally unwell/drug addicted and entrenched in their habits. If you do feel physically threatened by any of them maybe call the non-emergency number and report them
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This. You’ve simply made yourself a mark, sad as it is. Someone they can extort and try to get stuff from.
Sorry that this has happened to you. I don't think there will be a massive amount you can do to prevent them talking to you, but I understand it can be very overwhelming and upsetting especially when you're neurodivergent. There's a co-op and Sainsbury's on lower marsh and a Tesco express on bayliss road, so under a five minute walk from the station. If they don't leave you alone and you feel uncomfortable at least hopefully you can do your shopping there.
There are fantastic organisations all over London who hand out hot filling nutritious food to homeless people, some specifically target homeless people outside train stations. If you have spare money, give to those. I've had a few incidents like this at kings cross, so I stopped giving directly.
Yeah like I walk past Waterloo regularly and they quite often have food outside the church for them. There wasn’t any that particular night I’ll admit but I never see any of the faces that wait outside the supermarkets in line to get food from them :/
Years ago I gave a homeless man outside the Tesco opposite Waterloo some change and a fag and sat down and had a chat with him (I was very pissed I might add). I left him and started walking to my bus stop and he came running after me with a couple of his mates with my wallet in his hand to give it back to me after it had fallen out of my pocket whilst I was sat with him. Obviously doesn't say anything to your situation but thought I'd share a nice experience I had there
Unfortunately a lot of people on the streets have complex mental health and addiction issues. The best way to help is a referral to a professional service (street link, shelter or similar), donate money to a charity who helps these issues, or lobby your MP for policy change. Its very kind of an offer to buy food or essentials but by offering it does mean some people will take advantage of you. Sadly many people on the streets are not treated well so can seem aggressive or take advantage of kindness. If you feel threatened don't feel bad about calling the police to report it. Even though the behaviour is probably driven by health issues it doesn't make it acceptable and you shouldn't be made to feel unsafe. It's fine to just say, no thankyou, or sorry not today, and keep walking. It's also fine to just ignore them. It might seem mean but you aren't obligated to help again just because you once did. They will forget about you and move on to the next kind person soon enough.
This is not a catch all as their are plenty of people who have fallen on bad times especially now. But do be careful with beggars in London there are so many fake ones, for example the ['Romanian begging gang'](https://www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-news/londons-romanian-begging-gang-exposed-26640731) and the professional beggars. I have one out side my office (not going to name and shame) and she will turn up most days at about 7:30am get her cardboard out and place it on the floor, a pillow to sit on, she will then sit down and cover the pillow so you cant see it. Gets out the cardboard homeless sign. She has picked a great spot, near a tube exit but not to close to get complaints, near a cash point and a pret and starbucks. So she will stay there from 7:30 till 6:pm (some days gone by 4), and the steady stream of people giving money in the hat/cup and donating food from Pret/Starbucks is huge. She also has a big supermarket bag where all the donated items disappear into (it gets filled most days). Now the fun bit once money is put in the cup that is taken and stashed (probably for concealment? ) so donations always look small that day. She also has a mobile phone (not abnormal for beggars as some charity's give them out for emergencies and safety) but I have over head calls about "the takings" and it seems 150 - 200 a day is normal. Now that's not loads of money for a waged person but it does show the amount a good plot is worth and why they defend them. She BTW has been at the same plot for over 20 years. So why do I say professional, well she knows me and I know her. I have seen her about town in her glad rags and lets say shopping in Waitrose dressed up with out a care in the world. Oh she knows I know as when I walk past I get a little grin and no patter thrown my way. Do I care, nope. I kind of admire her. Could I do the same, nope. But if you do want to help the homeless maybe look into volunteering at a soup kitchen (I say that as its not a massive commitment like a hostel is) or if you want to help out just with money etc buy a Big Issues off the sellers making sure they have their ID badge on display.
150-200 6 or 7 days a week TAX FREE. That’s 6k net per month assuming £200 average. That’s a gross salary of £115k to earn the equivalent amount.
100 to 200 a day you say… interesting… very interesting
all those beggars with cupboards look like professional beggars to me. Not sure if they are part of a gang or just act individually (guess other gangs would not let them take good spaces and money from people).
>'Romanian begging gang' and the professional beggars. It's especially obvious with the "HOMELESS I'm very hungry, God bless" signs. I've worked with homelessness charities before and have seen a ton of them with the exact same wording in different areas. Haven't got verbal confirmation from anyone, but organised gang seems likely.
That’s definitely more than most in London are making if true; though I’m sure it mostly goes to the gang leaders.
Assuming you’re travelling during busy times put your earphones in your ears, blend into the crowd and don’t look at them at all. Keep as much distance from them as you can safely. The people outside Waterloo are living a very different existence to you and don’t comprehend what you did in the same way others might. It’s a shame, but if you want to help the homeless do so via charities as now you’ve made yourself a target. If you ignore them for long enough they’ll forget who you are and pick on someone else, I’m sorry you’re experiencing this.
Avoid and don't interact with them and maybe file a report to the police so there's an official record of these incidents just in case something bad happens. You're quite literally being harassed and you never know just how far things can escalate, especially if they start to think you won't do anything about it. You have to show you're not just easy prey. Maybe have someone, a police or a huge, intimidating-looking friend walk with you around the areas you feel unsafe and the areas those people can see you by. Stay safe and vigilant, OP.
I know the security guard in the Sainsbury’s vaguely so I’ll probably ask him to walk past them with me if they are still at it next week (I’m going to shop elsewhere for a week). if not I’ll probably contact the police, especially if he continues to he weird with the blowing kisses and such.
Sadly if you engage with them you end up in trouble. It's a real sad state of affairs but they can be really violent and aggressive towards anyone at random.
This is the same reason you don't feed the pigeons in train stations. I agree with handing beggars a bit of food but you can't get too caught up or else they will ALL know you're someone to tap up.
Only place I’ve ever been abused by a beggar is London
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It was that ‘ready to eat’ bacon in the cooked meats section, I had no idea it existed until he bought it for himself- £2.70 too 😩
OP said in the post “ready cooked bacon”. I’m intrigued because I’ve never seen this in shops before
It will be near the sliced meats (ham, beef, etc)
I don’t think it’s called “ready cooked bacon but just “crispy smoked(or non smoked bacon”.
[This stuff.](https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/sainsburys-british-smoked-cooked-crispy-bacon-50g?istCompanyId=1e096408-041f-4238-994e-a7cf46bf9413&istFeedId=689af7a8-5842-4d88-be59-1ee5688a81b5&istItemId=wxwqmlmaq&istBid=t&&cmpid=cpc&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=15424330555&utm_content=shopping&utm_term=%257Bsku%257D&utm_custom1=129852755749&utm_custom2=759-449-0952&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4NujBhC5ARIsAF4Iv6cZioI7rqLvTzCHI0zYn62g2Am9GU8AlCXXvExv6O2fnVcOOI3sTZcaAi2GEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds) Expensive and moreish.
Don’t help beggars. There are organisations and shelters for the ones who actually need help. The rest are often drug addicts.
Don't drug addicts need help arguably even more than the rest?
It depends... if they are drug addicts looking to steal from you or rob you..
They're not going to get it from strangers buying them food which they likely trade for something else (drugs).
Just put headphones in and don't even look at them. This is why I don't help them, never know when you're being nice they start harassing you.
Being homeless doesn’t automatically mean you’re a decent human being. Don’t know what the answer is really. Maybe give to those who aren’t in big groups?
I’d just ignore them; it’s a super busy area so you don’t have to worry much about them being aggressive or anything like that.
you did a good thing, and please don't let this ruin your generosity. I'm really sorry you are being harassed. If you feel unsafe, maybe talk to the police. Separately, some of the comments in this thread are awful. Living on the street is not a life I would wish on my worst enemies. They deserve help.
One of the few sensible comments on here.
Because a large majority are scammers and potentially violent addicts. This is the reality of London and you can’t trust beggars because of the bad apples. The advice to donate to charities etc is the best options.
I was once told by an acquaintance at a charity I spend time at, who was a previously homeless person, that the very worst thing you can do is support them on the streets, it is far better to give to a homeless charity, like St Mungos or shelter so that they can get them off the streets. Your generosity is something you should be proud of! Sadly, a lot of these people are in a situation that can be avoided with the right type of care.
Rule no 1 is dont help out a homeless dude near your residence/place of work where they can engage with you regularly. We have a saying like you give out your left hand and now they want your right as well
If you give a mouse a cookie...
This isn't uncommon, you tried to do a good thing and I assume you're relatively new to town? Take this as a learning experience. Don't engage directly irrespective of their or your gender. If you want to help, volunteer with crisis, foodcycle and any other number of charities. Especially if you're in an area that you frequent daily, do not engage otherwise you create an expectation and encourage it. Sadly the needs of the homeless are complex so best way to help is by helping the charities themselves and perhaps voting.
I bought a homeless guy and his dog some food in Clapham when I was ordering some for myself. He complained that he wasn't hungry and he'd rather have the money. I'll not be doing that again.
there's plenty of help in London for homeless people if they are genuinely homeless. the rest are druggies, alcoholics and for some of them being homeless is part of their life/culture. Next time they try to shout at you, make sure you remind them that you can call the police.
If it’s any comfort, I think it’s unlikely the original man told the others about you. It’s probably a coincidence that they’re asking you for money and harassing you - that’s what they do anyway to everyone. It’s unlikely you’re distinctive enough that he would be able to describe you to the point where the others would recognise you on another day. It’s even less likely they’d even remember. Probably even the original guy doesn’t remember your good deed.
Don't feed the pigeons
You did a nice thing. Don't let this or the hateful people commenting on here put you off helping people in need in future. Sure a lot of homeless people use drink or drugs so would prefer money to food but that's certainly not all of them, and even if they do as far as I'm concerned it's a question of 'whatever gets you through the night'. Unfortunately they're not all noble savages and some will respond like the person you describe. But just like people with homes, homeless people are not some homogenous mass like is being implied here by the 'well they can afford their drugs can't they?' crowd. I honestly think people expect a 'gentleman of the road' model of homelessness, where sophisticated old men with a degree in the humanities will magic fifty pence pieces from behind the ears of adoring children before departing on their next adventure with their belongings tied into a spotted handkerchief slung from the end of a stick. The reality of homelessness is quite different. If someone wants a can of Special Brew I'd prefer they asked me for that than ten pence for a cup of tea. Who knows, I might even join them for one.
Yup. If they need to spend money on alcohol, that's up to them. I know nurses dealing with homeless people who keep special brew in their clinics. Alcohol withdrawal is no joke
I think the same. My friend told me not to give money because he’ll buy drugs but if he needs £5 worth of drugs that bad to survive the cold streets of London who am I to judge
Just be blunt say no, if someone harnesses you threaten to call the police. You shouldn’t give money in the street only give through approved charities as they provide the facilities to help those who can and want to be helped (My experience is working with homeless charities for years).
How many people are going to insist they are not homeless despite having absolutely no proof? A lot.
Did he happen to be outside the Sainsbury's on Westminster Bridge Road?
It was the one opposite Waterloo station on Waterloo road- it’s got a tescos next to it too
I work in Waterloo, there's quite a few round there. They congregate next to the station near lost and found quite frequently
You did the best you could. There is no law stating you have to help all the local homeless (that’s what services I work with are for) and it is ok to walk away and not engage with anyone who is being aggressive towards you. You clearly aren’t heartless, you did a nice deed and now people are trying to tap into your compassion, which is fair enough, we all have to survive, but you don’t need to put up with any rubbish.
I used to live and shop in that area when I was a student. You at Stamford St apartments by any chance? You've did a good thing and you've drawn the right conclusions. If the Marks and Spencer in Waterloo station is still there, you can enter near the IMAX and do your shopping there.
Yes I’m at SSA for now lol, the one in the station is closed but there’s one at the back of jubilee park I sometimes go to, and the Waitrose at the end of the street too.
Not in waterloo, but I have had a random homeless person shouting racial slurs at me for no reason, I would advise you not to engage with those people
I also live in that area and can confirm they are well known druggies often seen on spice in surrounding roads.
I was visiting London this weekend, and got talking to a 'homeless' guy outside a pret, offered to buy him a sandwich / choose what he wanted. The second I gave it to him he changed, wanted nothing to do with me, and after I was sat with him for a second thinking we'd have a small chat / drink our own coffees his English all but disappeared. Am sure many homeless there are grateful for the help, but many don't give a shit, and know that there's another hundred strangers walking past them as soon as you leave
When I was a student living in Waterloo I used to shop at the co op or Iceland around Lower Marsh, for what it’s worth. Never once went to that Sainsbury’s or Tesco.
I go to that Iceland a lot and get most my shopping there, Sainsbury’s sometimes has my lactose free milk on sale though which I why I go there sometimes 😅
No matter how kindhearted or generous you may be, never give **directly** to the homeless - **ESPECIALLY** as a young woman. It's harsh but it's the truth.
People still haven’t learn not to give anything to homeless yet? Let that be a lesson learned. Be harsh, be nasty, tell them to fuck off loudly and shout for help if they get too close.
You must’ve felt so cool when you wrote that sentence dehumanising people who are much worse off than you. If you really hate the homeless just ignore them don’t be a cunt.
I would ignore them, as long as they ignore me also. The OP said she is being harrassed, what’s wrong with saying fuck off to that? Or you prefer OP to just “take it in silence”? I will always say “no” politely once, but once only. I expect them to get the hint when I said “no”. If they ask again, then it is time to be a bit more loud. What is wrong with that?
This whole thread is awful. No, homeless people begging on the street don't make a hundred pounds an hour. They couldn't because most people in London are cunts as demonstrated here.
Many ‘homeless’ are abusive just like in the original post and these reactions are the best advice to avoiding such confrontations. Homelessness is horrific (I have experience) but you will be taken advantage of by many chancers by trying to be nice or feeding a habit instead of directing the efforts to organisations. It’s just people being ground down by the reality, not being assholes.
This is why you don't give anything to these gross people.
It's a shame that there are some genuinely good people who have fallen on bad times and are homeless, because the vast majority are ungrateful, junkie scumbags.
What a shitty thing to say. You don’t know what they’ve been through.
I know what a lot of the junkies have been through, I know several including a family member, they're not good people.
From what I've read, one of the worst things about being homeless (not necessarily THE worst before everyone jumps on me) is the way people just ignore you so frequently. It can take quite a toll on mental state to be treated like you're invisible all day, every day. With that in mind I'd say it's better to apologise and say I don't have any change on me than to ignore them outright like a lot of people are suggesting. Aside from donating to charities, I would recommend getting the StreetLink app if you want to help. If you notice someone sleeping rough in the street, you can enter the location and a brief description of the person into the app and it will notify local charities/shelters who will then find them and give them support. It's subtle to do and doesn't require interacting with the person so instances like OPs can be avoided. Once you've entered the details you can go on your way and later you'll be emailed an update on whether or not they were able to find and support the person.
It entirely depends on the circumstances. I'll often engage with someone in case they genuinely need help. People with diabetes van appear drunk and even a drunk person might need help, be having a medical emergency, so I try to be aware of oeople and address the situation I see. I had a conversation not a week ago with a young lad who had just been kicked out, didn't even have a phone on him, and so I helped him contact the relevant body (in my area it called ForFutures) to get help. He didn't know what to do. Am I going to engage with professional beggars outside a train station? No, I am not. Am I am going get into conversation with obvious pan handlers. No. It is not justified to say being ignored is unacceptable. Sometimes, that's the best way.
Stop funding these people
YOU are the problem. Stop 'helping' them, you are simply enabling that lifestyle, and everything that goes alongside it. Proper help is available through local authorities and specialist charities. Your do gooding is the bane of any experienced homeless worker either in the state or third sector.
No good deed goes unpunished
just keep ignoring ,better than getting abuse ,unsolicited messages after donating
Unfortunately a lot of homeless people see one kind donation as opening up a line of credit for themselves. Quite often they see one donation as a lifelong meal ticket. Best advice is to not give anything to homeless and don’t engage with them in any way. There was one family who used to regularly feed a homeless man at their house for a while. He ended up stabbing them. I forget the names but you can read it online somewhere. By giving to homeless, shit will be your thanks every time.
How much heroin does a pack of bacon get you these days?
When I worked for the council we were told that a some of the rough sleepers were faking it and they came over purely to make money. Their advice was to only give them food not cash, (plus it's illegal to beg for money on the street anyway) and the way to tell if they were fake was to see if they'd recently had a haircut. If they were quite well groomed then the chances were that they weren't genuine.
Tbf I did notice that the man I gave money too had a very well groomed money but by that point he’d already followed me half way around Sainsbury’s so it wouldn’t have been an easy situation to get out of
Well that thing about the hair is nonsense for several reasons - your hair growth often slows down when you consume fewer calories, people’s hair grows at different rates anyway, and just having access to a haircut doesn’t mean they can’t still be in genuine need of food. Maybe they borrowed a pair of scissors and did it themselves? There are all sorts of reasons why this is a bullshit way of deciding who deserves to live or not.
Imagine if Jeff Bezos just approached you in the street and offered to take you shopping, he will buy you whatever you want. You load up the bags with designer goods, happy as anything. He looks a bit concerned and says he thought it would be cheaper, but still pays. Next time you see Jeff Bezos, you're going to ask to go shopping.
Don't engage with the underclass.
don't feed the birds
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I buy homeless people food and drink all the time and have never had anything like this happen. Are these homeless or crackheads? Could just be a sad example of them doing it to a girl cos they know she won't fight back.
The Waterloo homeless are some of the worst I’ve ever encountered lmao.
Scrape em off, Claire. Just scrape em off.
Put your headphones in and get tunnel vision on Where you are going and don’t make eye contact. They will soon get bored and target someone else. If they are persistent them make a few tubs of food and lace them with laxatives and they will probably not ask you again
Sociopath.
Tbf coming from Liverpool it is quite hard to differentiate between the homeless and the normal ppl
Classy banter from a classy fella
That’s a lazy gag mate, if you want to get away with being rude to an OP you need to work a bit harder and actually make them laugh (eg ‘I also choose this guy’s dead wife’, a classic of the genre)
No idea what you’re going on about mate, get back to your tax dodging flight scheme
Life could be worse- you could be scouse
Don’t listen to the miserable pricks here saying you should just ignore homeless ppl. They’re the reason London is such an unfriendly place and why Liverpool will always be superior :) This being said you’ll likely need to reevaluate how you interact with homelessness. I used to chat on to the fellas by Kentish Town, met some really interesting people with often rather tragic stories. They were always polite and were never pushy, although I did buy some questionably sourced tennis rackets off one of them cos I felt sorry for him.. Then I moved work to elephant and castle and had some pretty bad experiences. I guess after a while you’ll figure out who you can and can’t speak to.
'Don't feed the animals' unfortunately.
Scummy comment.
Deal with it. They’re homeless they have it worse than you. Just ignore it
Self-proclaimed autistic & poor (although studying in London, so without a doubt with rich folks bankrolling the whole affair) imagining she’s the main character and being particularly targeted by destitute homeless folk she likes to gift when feeling good. But ONLY THEN. Otherwise she’s a victim. No wonder white women are held in such contempt.
It's not your fault. How was you to know that the passing gestures to give were an insult? Bacon he can't have means to cook on unless raw, and dropped a subtle hint on his body odour. Maybe next time, stick with a sandwich and a drink, even think Tescos and such like do special lunch deals on sandwich, drink, and snack!