Gangs Travel to Bath From Bristol In ‘Mercedes Benz’ To Pose As Beggars

[@Hairnicks]

As an ex- Bristol copper I can confirm this has been going on for decades.

[@martinheath5947]

So can I in London

[@Swansong321]

I was a student in Bristol university and I was skint but ALWAYS have money..once I literally had nothing and this "beggar" approached me..I said I've nothing at all today and he was really rude, he was like "yeah right"..I thought oh f YOU!..I've always thought twice now..we have a reasonable benefits system my boyfriend pointed out

[@sallyedwards7162]

Free everything and still fleecing us. Their benefits should be stopped and they should be deported for taking this country for granted

[@michaelwalker1145]

And thats why you never give eny thing to them. That's the reason I Stopped buying the BIG ISSUE . All eastern European sellers.

[@soot.2146]

Yeah but lots of folks from Bristol love all these types, so let them give their £,ss to the scammers, Nd scumbags until they realise they been " Had", can't educate pork.

[@UKdraxion]

Never give anything to beggars.

[@lindacaswell9650]

Tell em to get a freaking JOB 🤷‍♀️ I offered a sandwich and drink once to a homeless person. Well his piece of cardboard said he needed money for food! He took the drink and said ... No I'm not hungry, don't you have any money to give me? Wtf 😞🤷‍♀️

[@Ashs-mini-vlogs]

​@@lindacaswell9650I was homeless years ago I was given food alot I was glad n thankful for it if the bigger is refusing stuff he's not real genuine homeless

[@lilhazey1128]

@@lindacaswell9650poor you

[@ciupak7932]

I would say almost the same about charities.....bosses of them raking £100k/y +...before any penny is spent on the cause.

[@pumpkinpatch5]

@@ciupak7932As someone who worked for a charity headquarters once and witnessed this, I agree. Glad I got out.

[@Nick-vl7df]

As someone who was really homeless it might surprise you that most the homeless hate them.

[@MrNice-hv3np]

Been there myself. And I’ve never seen a genuine homeless beg for money, they ask for help if they need it.

[@urbanfox53]

That's not at all surprising because they are taking the credibility away from genuine poor people.

[@SloopyDog]

They are taking the food out of the mouths of genuine homeless people.

[@danielward7008]

They're taking public sympathy away from the genuinely homeless. Absolute scumbags.

[@ianhill4585]

The homeless (I assume) people round my way I've seen ,generally put a cap or something else out,to catch coins, but don't engage ,other than to thank you when you donate. A quiet dignity, no verbal begging,no tugging on the heartstrings, ----a donate or don't theme.

[@bmotion7648]

I'd hazard a guess these aren't British people doing this. If this isn't a crime it should be.

[@bernadettec6386]

I thought begging was a crime. When did that Law change.

[@endlessglizzys_.0233]

In Luton Gypsy Lane Retail Park it used to be a nice place to shop. Now it's full of beggers wearing new Nikes plus with cars parked up. Saw a few get into their cars and drive off. The Police move them on but they come back again. One stands next to the exit traffic lights with a box asking for money.

[@JosephB-tv7gf]

​@@bernadettec6386yes. It certainly was. Dunno if the law changed at all. Maybe just another crime, like bicycling on pavements, which the police ignore.

[@abeonthehill166]

It is a crime to Beg in England and, if found guilty at Court you can face a Jail Sentence for it however, it is rarely used now . I read this crime is being removed as a crime soon as it is seen as outdated . The vagrancy act 1824 provides for a range of offences, including that people can still be arrested for begging or sleeping in a public place in England and Wales. The Vagrancy Act is also aimed at punishing “every person wandering abroad and lodging in any barn or outhouse, or in any deserted or unoccupied building, or in the open air, or under a tent, or in any cart or wagon,” making the act a threat to Gypsy, Traveller, and Roma communities as well. Punishments under the act can include a fine of 1,000 pounds and the risk of a criminal record and arrest. In 2020, 573 people were prosecuted under this act[3].

[@jamescharnock4579]

Dont know if its true but heard that if they are selling Big Issue they are classed as self employed, and can claim all sorts of Benefits.

[@alm5966]

This is happening in my local village. The regular foreign Big Issue seller was spotted getting into a 4x4 SUV that was parked behind the shops where she was grifting and drove away. Most people believe themselves too intelligent to fall for a con-trick but they still give money to 'homeless' and beggars. They're panhandling scum and should be ignored. Here's a tip...if you want money then get a job like the rest of us have to do and stop being a low life.

[@barrystubbs983]

get a job when so many mugs willingly give them money ? having a laugh aren't you

[@jamescharnock4579]

This happens in Warrington have seen it, park the Merc on Morrisons the man walks into Warrington and the Woman stands outside my local M & S with the Big issue. I always give a filthy look when approached and say in a loud voice Imshi Imshi which i think means pi** off in Arabic. This has been going on for at least the last 20 years.

[@annnickolls8741]

They do it in birmingham city centre you just know who is genuine a lot of foreign women look well fed

[@MrNice-hv3np]

Genuine homeless never ask for money, because they have very little need for it (life’s cheap when you got no bills). And they tend to stay out of sight.

[@DW-dd4iw]

Same in my local town, a huge Merc drops off a woman in the morning and collects her in the evening. There's three other women (dressed the same) in the expensive Merc too.

[@straightouttacornwall]

I was in London once and I seen a load of freeloaders getting out a mercedes and walk into a house. If memory serves me correctly I think the address was 10 Downing street.

[@paulineashcroft1485]

This is so unfair of you, they are not freeloaders, they are thieves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@lindacaswell9650]

Good one! 🤣🤣🤣

[@endlessglizzys_.0233]

Lol 😂nice one.

[@yamyam_1978]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@29jug11]

That’s been going on for years and years …

[@sibylleherbe8260]

I live in America and have traveled the country. This is happening all over my country, in every city.

[@JamesLWilliams-k9x]

Tent city SFO

[@johnw2758]

There's a guy who begs outside our local M&S every day. Depending on the weather I would buy him something hot or cold. You can imagine my dismay when I found out he actually wasn't homeless but this was just a better option than him signing up for work with an agency. I did notice before that he had 'named' trainers and clothes on but thought nothing of it. Since he's been 'outed' he now wears scruffier work clothes. I still say Hi ( to what I think are homeless people ) but that's as far as it goes. These people are spoiling it for the genuine needy people.

[@anthonymitchell6216]

The genuine needy people are on government benefits are they not ? No need to beg .

[@E_O_S_]

U stil say hi FFS

[@derekporter66]

you say hi? fool

[@johnw2758]

@@E_O_S_ yep..just as I would when passing anybody FFS...edited to clarify what I meant

[@MsDamosmum]

@@johnw2758passing anybody? You must say hi a lot 😂

[@kellykreqeli8924]

This is why sadly I won’t give money because you don’t know who to trust

[@soloperformer5598]

I've ignored beggars in some of the poorest areas in other countries so ignoring this lot shouldn't be a problem.

[@kevinmoore2630]

i never give a penny to any of them

[@shaunbat5097]

These are the jobs the migrants arrive at Dover on a boat for. Well done government.

[@gillianmorris747]

We have 2 people that get dropped off in our town (Shropshire) in big posh car, spend day begging then picked up again later in day

[@rachb373]

Giving money to someone begging is never a kind thing to do. It only makes you feel better about yourself

[@onlyme8117]

Give them linekers address or phone number, it will be appreciated.

[@MrEdrftgyuji]

Not disagreeing, but it is still much better than giving your money to a major charity.

[@mickb1471]

The West End is full with beggars, all of them are scammers. You can tell the difference between genuine homeless and hungry people and the gangs of beggars.

[@annehislop2449]

​@@MrEdrftgyujiso give to local charities where you can see how and where your money is spent.

[@stevedawn4341]

If someone ask me to buy them some food to eat. I will buy for them don't need your prayer praise or permission. If I get wrong and they are lying karma will get them. Mind you business and I will mind mine. Thank you.

[@thehairygolfer]

I worked in Bristol in the early 90's for 5 years. Professional beggers everywhere back then. Nothing has changed.

[@terryjones6504]

Happened in Cyprus for years. Old ladies dropped off by family in Mercs.

[@IamNotanumber-z3j]

Romanians?

[@Shonno77]

I live in Bath and stopped giving directly to people on the streets a few years ago. I have instead donated to the Julian House Homeless Hostel. Just saying.

[@honey23b2]

Good idea. Bless you. ❤

[@sidkings]

The issue of Organised Roma Gypsies begging in Bath is new. I grew up there and had never seen a foreign beggar. It was mostly local people with drug issues. Anyone homeless tended to be from a bigger city elsewhere. Organsied begging by Romanian gypsies is a Europe wide problem. I've personally confronted a few on the tube. They often pretend to be from war torn countries. Been on holiday to Lille, Paris, Munich and even Madrid and saw hoards of them . France is by the far the worst imo.

[@colleenpeck6347]

​@sidkings Currently, they are all coming to the US southern border and claiming discrimination due to their minority status. Now the American taxpayers are supporting these uneducated unskilled travelers. They are our new asylum seekers that fly here to claim asylum.

[@chrisward63]

Agree... I have recently started giving to Julian House as a way of helping those in need, not that I gave to any individuals.

[@bobbyboko6317]

Well done mate my wife manages one of the Shops .

[@lacyla8367]

I remember in Bristol broadmead sat on a bench waiting for a friend to finish shopping. A 'homeless' guy was sat 10m away and was rocking back and forth and making noises as if he was in pain. Loads of people gave him money. 20 minutes later he stood up completely normal, took his phone out and walked off. I was gobsmacked!

[@jongee-c3w]

Dont give money to foreign beggars. Dont tip foreign uber-eats or deliveroo delivery riders. How difficult is it ?

[@thetruthnothingbutthetruth1]

Just give it to the British smack heads & crack heads

[@PastaSauce.]

Why not tip your food delivery drivers? Nothing wrong with that.

[@ZappRoyce]

This is an age old trick, begging is illegal in the UK we have a benefit system, if you see people begging tell them to get a job !👍

[@chrislecouteur2360]

This is happening everywhere London Kent Essex Yorkshire ... saw one in Leeds west Yorkshire ... they was picked up by van ... London dropped of just of by trafalgar Square in a Mercedes van ... been going on years

[@sylviabaxter265]

People just throw money in, I never ever give them money you would know a genuine street person. there is a guy who sits outside Sainsburys every weekend for his beer money and another guy who asks for the £1 trolley money to buy a drink, no is my answer.

[@schrodingerscat1863]

Used to see this happen in Hammersmith 10 years ago when I worked there. Exactly the same thing, old women got dropped off every morning, sat begging in the town all day then collected at the end of the day.

[@jennbed1899]

This doesn't happen just in Bath, its everywhere in Europe. I experienced something like this years ago in Germany, while walking to a neighbour in the village I saw a group of Romania gypsies getting also out of a fat Benz. Then my friend answered the door and I followed to see one of the ladies, showing us a photo of her sick child and a laminated piece of card stating she needed money. As the local newspaper had warned us she automatically said no, who in returned got aggressive. I told her she cant be that bad off when she got out of a Benz and we threatened to call the police. She backed off and left quickly.

[@WetBandit-qo9xd]

I'd suggest an investigative journalist heads to Tottenham Court Road at around 7am in the morning and sees a couple of dozen Romanian "beggars" being dropped off by half a dozen cars at the McDonalds where the gang master writes up "Homeless & Hungry" signs on bits of cardboard then watches them walk to their patches around Euston, Kings Cross, Warren Street etc where they rotate regularly. This is one of many Roma Gypsy rackets known throughout Europe.

[@johnpatrick1702]

I saw one begging recently in the town were i live. Of foreign descent and the usual sign saying " i'm hungry ." He also had a dog with him so i nipped off to Poundland and got a tin of dog food, put it next to the dog, gave it a pat and walked off. Made me feel good. For the dog.

[@cassandrade-wolfe6926]

Who has had the door to door beggars....who hand you the note saying they are deaf, homeless and foreign....so "have a good heart" and give them money? Then at the top of the street they all hop into a vehicle and go on somewhere else? Unreal.

[@testpilotian3188]

The beggar in our town turn out to be coming in by train every day from Victoria (someone got suspicious and followed him home).

[@alexandergemmell664]

Give money to beggars ? You must be joking, my money is hard earned.

[@JustDaniel6764]

In Manchester i seen a beggar with a bloody chip n pin machine, I said ive no change and he said i take card😂😂 i was dumbfounded

[@webbo9798]

Did he offer any "cash back". 😄

[@rohinipatel3037]

The flat they are accommodating should be investigated and remove them. Scroungers living at taxpayers expenses.

[@THEPete_]

This is happening everywhere in the UK, been the same here in Newcastle for decades

[@richardsmith579]

Never ever give to beggars, we pay enough in taxes for the government to fund these crooks anyway.

[@roblloyd1879]

Been going on for years, Gloucester was a good example.

[@dogtails7614]

And this is why I completely ignore them!

[@contessa.adella]

I was on the tube some years ago…at a station this woman gets on, all swaddled up in cloth rags like from ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, jogging a blanket wrapped baby up and down whilst she begged and cried in some unintelligible, like east European tongue. She collected notes and coins of currency and as she shuffled closer, with the train underway, I could see the ‘baby’ was a plastic doll. Two stations later with no more coin forthcoming she left. The scam was blatant…yet still some people gave money.

[@sofiavalle7885]

I had an incident with a Big Issue seller a few months ago: I found a 10p coin a few meters away from her, I picked it and gave it to her. She refused it saying 'it was on the ground and it wasn't hers'. I was disgusted, if I find money on the ground, I pick it even if it's a 1p coin but for this lady it was definitely not enough. That shows they are not in need, they are fraudsters.

[@patchlolly979]

I can’t believe they have only just worked this out

[@mattdeacon3137]

My wife and I live near bristol and went to the centre several weeks ago where near to the tesco by castle park a supposed homeless chap had a sign out saying something along the lines of im tired and hungry, god bless. As he was near the tesco, and as we often do, rather than give money we bought a meal deal with a number of other longer lasting food items and went back and gave it to him. He was very gratefull but rather than tear into the food he looked through the bag and then put it down on the floor next to him. Something felt off but couldnt put my finger on it. Further down the road toward the hippodrome we passed another chap, again with a bit of cardboard with a similarly written message, signed off with 'god bless'. Thought it was odd but couldnt recall the prior sign in full so assumed a coincidence. Get to millennium square and theres a third chap but again same hand written sign, same sized bit of cardboard as the previous two, same exact hand writing and signed off with god bless. Whilst you cant make assumptions, this individual was very well 'fed' and freshly groomed with clothes that whilst not new, weren't hugely overworn, but as my wife and i came to the realisation was dressed almost identically as the previous two guys. Granted it took us to the third guy to realise something dodgy seemed to be going on, but glad we didnt give money and be completely taken advantage of.

[@andydandyb]

Britain has fallen. Thank you EU, thank you Blair &Co.

[@vl6357]

On Oxford street, the entire length, they have begging cards, written in the same handwriting. It is a complete con.

[@4faxache935]

Been happening since time began. Grifters.

[@simonwhite-iq9ub]

This has been going on for years in every major city

[@nathanphillips1504]

I noticed this is in Southampton, 3 or 4 working in unison. I then saw them all get on the train laughing and joking

[@andrewdudson7750]

I bet they are not English

[@susanwestern6434]

Roma/gypsies.

[@alanhaynes418]

Our Woke government has been aware of this rapidly growing problem for decades - but dealing with it effectively would mean going against their agenda of 'Immigrant Good/Indigenous Bad'. So nothing gets done.

[@mickm7786]

This happens in Benidorm by the indoor market every day and it is usually the same people that do it, they are mainly eastern europeans as well.

[@duncanhill3953]

Correct

[@alyb731]

Why bother working for a living?

[@sidkings]

I've been to few European cities in the last couple of years. They are well organised and sadly use children for begging too. France had to be the worst though. Lille and Paris. They are Gypsy Roma (Romanian), but often claim to be from a war torn countries.

[@mickm7786]

@@sidkings You have to watch out for the one's that get you to hold the babies they are usually picking your pockets at the same time.

[@sidkings]

@@mickm7786 I was in Paris, Louvre. This lady was smartly dressed with a clip board. She comes up to me and goes she's doing a survey of tourists and told me to put my name and country down. Then she turns round and says "thanks for pledging minimum 10 euros to our charity!" I'm like wth! Then I look up and see about half a dozen of them doing the same thing. I then clocked they were actually gypsies. They started swearing at me when I said no. Unbelievable!

[@Misssprimmm246]

Years ago there was a begger sitting outside McDonald's begging, my daughter went into the shop and bought him a burger and fries and gave it to him, he looked at her like she was stupid, he said i want money not food and threw it away, I've never ever given a penny to any begger since

[@francis88825]

SO THE POLICE KNOW EXACTLY WHO THEY ARE, SO HOW COME THEY AINT DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT ? 🐽🐽

[@thetruthnothingbutthetruth1]

ASK THEM not us

[@SloopyDog]

Because the police couldn't care less.

[@terrypowell4249]

They are doing nothing about it!

[@bepto4877]

A fool & his money are easily parted.

[@Alteringrealitystudios]

As I've said this is the first time in recorded history that countries will be taken through civil obedience. And the aspects of polite society.

[@PaulStratford-vn8ed]

What a lovely country we live in now I love paying my tax here it’s great

[@MultiAlanR]

It happens here in Dublin as well. They arrive early to the city centre by bus and sometimes will decide which women will hold the babies they bring to gain more sympathy. The worst part is when old people are targeted because they've collected their pension money

[@soot.2146]

Most druggies , never see their benefits in parts of GB, it's all collected by their drug dealers, on the tier system.

[@MC14may]

Brits dont care about Dublin...the Irish pikeys have been in the UK for decades praying on the vulnerable with their dodgy tarmacing and building so-called skills. It's called Karma in Ireland 😂

[@MsSamanthaTKO]

In the north the charity shops only put out one shoe now. I told them to put a sign up in Romanian.

[@philomenacroghan5437]

Don't give money to beggars most are Romanians, well known as beggars and thieves .

[@danking8379]

I’ve seen the Dublin beggers grabbing notes from a woman purse as she opened it . I did nothing as she deserved it for giving to the scumbags in the first place

[@lacyla8367]

This has been a problem for years. They're only bringing it up now as they want to get rid of cash..

[@keelyjohnston19]

We have them in Kingston upon Thames they turn up in a blue Mercedes van and sit in McDonald, till 8 then spread out around the town centre They also threaten the real homeless people

[@schrodingerscat1863]

This has been going on for year, used to see gangs of immigrant baggers turn up in Hammersmith years ago when I worked there. These normally eastern European women, would sit in the town all day, begging then get collected at the end of the day in a minibus.

[@bullet-catcherhohoho250]

This has been going on for ever all around the country, only fools give them anything and there are a lot of fools out there. it is not worth even bothering to tell a fool anything, because they are fools and will forever be one.

[@theolderigetthewrongbitget4746]

The Big Issue is famous for it up here in Scotland.

[@douglasgraham2774]

I met a Rumanian lady,in my home town south Devon selling big issue, she was driven from Bristol and picked up late pm, drove back to Bristol and was there again for rest of week.

[@JohnBaxterWalker]

A similar gang were in Canterbury a few weeks ago. Evenly spaced out through the high street. All with the same cardboard sign - I'm Hungry, God Bless.

[@TheRastler]

We had a beggar in our town, dressed in camouflage clothes claiming he was homeless and was spotted by a neighbour from the village he stayed in, a council house, claiming benefits. It was reported, turns out he was never in the forces, had his partner living with him and she had a full time job which hadn’t declared. We have one exactly like one of those in this article that squats outside M&S and he certainly doesn’t look undernourished and on the hottest of days he certainly doesn’t smell like someone with no access to washing facilities. I thought begging was illegal,but I suppose entering the UK via the channel in a dingy is illegal but the government being the bunch of plonkers that they are do nothing about that either.

[@radicalcartoons2766]

Bristol resident all my life, this has been going on for decades.

[@Toracube]

Professional beggars stay outside shops and threaten others with violence over their patch. And people give money to these thugs…

[@jillclark6076]

We have it in the USA too. There is a family that comes. The husband sits in his van probably on his phone while his wife and children sit outside Walmart all daybegging for money. It's a disgrace.

[@patdarby2705]

Give them nothing. If they're genuinely homeless or poor, the welfare state in this country is available to everyone and is overly generous enough for no one ever to go without either food or shelter.

[@slickfandango7915]

not exactly true. i was recently made homeless and it took about 2 months before i got any benefits and three and a half months before i got a room in a homeless hostel. without charity in that time i probably would have been forced to steal.

[@simonruddy8265]

All probably on benefits and a number of other scams.

[@thetruthnothingbutthetruth1]

Like the British smack heads & crack heads outside my local Morrisons.

[@Marilyn-jg6ee]

This has been going on in Italy for years. Nothing new here

[@markhorton8578]

There was a local who used to sit and beg by the bridge by Sainsburys for many years. At the end of the day, he would walk a way to his very nice car and drive out to his large house in Bathford (a very expensive area). That's just one of several reasons I never give to individuals any more.

[@jeffatkins6890]

If you didn’t know this was going on ! been going on for years , best you change to a history channel , not news

[@deb-1558]

This isn't new 😂 my mum has seen this happening in the west midlands for years

[@LarryFogarty]

same scum here in ireland

[@paulstone3209]

Used to be a guy begging in Enfield Town years ago, can't remember his name, but designer trainers but homeless type clothes. Years later ame out he was a millionaire, clever guy

[@artboy5938]

Got 2 in Barnet High street at the moment! Holding very Hungry signs . Don’t give them f all !

[@bryanthomas2598]

Charity begins and ends at home

[@johnw2758]

The thing is, giving to these 'reputable' charities is also a con as a lot of the money goes on executive wages. I now join local animal charity groups (that I know and trust) on Facebook and give to them as and when as I feel it is being spent on the correct thing BUT there is also a problem with that regarding the vets costs, as I feel that when the vet knows the animal is from a rescue charity, they know that there are members funding it and then they ramp up the prices !

[@meredithisme3752]

🇦🇺 we had a similar thing in Australia wealthy Chinese bringing in aged Chinese to beg on the street, and they took the money, fortunately The Salvation army sussed it out and police were involved. Don't give to anyone my advice

[@kimbardgett1664]

This has been happening since i was a kid ,my husband stopped me giving money to a child as he had been to the city many times and said watch and extremely expensive car pulled up and picked the child up .From that day to now i give to no one unless they are representing a charity with proper id .

[@gabrielconstantin8724]

It's unbelievable how people are so stupid this day's to give money to crooks 😡😡

[@woodlandbiker]

We had this in our small town and before they were picked up in a car they would disgard all the coppers and five pence pieces.

[@rio-wi1el]

never give money if you think they are genuine give them a sandwich but a lot of this goes on and it is shameful

[@missjane782]

Had someone hassle me for money for accommodation outside the cinema recently. Told her I wouldn’t give her any money but would pay for accommodation at the hostel. She said thanks and walked off.

[@angusclark8330]

In my area, it's a big F.O. Mitsubishi. They're Roma, either from Romania or Slaovakia.

[@DBCOOPER982]

Ive seen beggars sitting next to cashpoint machines where i live begging has been going on for years some beggars can be aggressive asking for change with a can of alcohol in their hands

[@philbamford6957]

Albanians or Romanians,those type of people that should and could be sent home,but sunak and his mob think it’s ok to let these loose on the British public.

[@G4RY1159]

Seen an Asian woman a lot in Blackpool along the Prom, she always sat in a certain Bus Stop with a large tartan rug around her, then one day a Mercedes pulled up with an Asian man driving, the woman in the bus stop got up and got in the car and drove away, I seen her the very next day not far from the bus stop she was picked up the day before. Homeless actress!

[@donnabeuth3193]

I've seen it going on all over West London for years now. A lot of years. 😠🙄

[@billericaydickie6137]

As everybody has said, It's been going on for years. Check them out at busy traffic light junctions. Some walk with a limp, Some have walking sticks or crutches, But they all approach your car window cup in hand and say "Pleeeeeese"

[@DrawnInk1]

They should be taxed.

[@stephenvarty191]

Haha yes, they are probably in the higher tax bracket😂

[@martinsmith5998]

same as the gangs of wind screen cleaners who waited at traffic lights then pounced on motorists. they travelled around different areas, had look outs and get away cars

[@jasonlee4267]

this happens in most times, in my town a gang of about 5 'homeless' people loiter the streets begging, I have seen them getting into a nice car at the end of the day, its also a tourist town in the lake district.

[@mungomuff9716]

I was waiting for my husband on a street in Southern Spain when a man parked a pretty decent car infront of me got out got a wheelchair from the boot and a cardboard sign got in the wheelchair and set off...i actually walked past him later begging in a doorway..before i saw him do that i always gave change or the odd Euro to people begging but i never have since...

[@edbaker515]

A real beggars opera in modern settings

[@paulineashcroft1485]

It beggars belief.

[@edbaker515]

Tu sae

[@jonethomas3892]

Well known, some on the dole make 50 to 6o pounds a day, a lady from Swansea goes forty miles miles away travels with her scruffy looking dog, but goes round the back of a building and changes, drives her car with nice daily profit.

[@anneg5720]

Do the exact same in my town in scotland. Bmw and mercs 😂😂😂😂 better cars than me and the cheek to ask for my money 🤣

[@jackkruese4258]

There usually the same Romany gypsy woman I pass couple of times a week selling the Big Issue and I always shake my head at her not to refuse money but more as to say what the hell are you playing at. As they have no intention of working.

[@susanwestern6434]

They are mainly young women. They could easily get a job.

[@jackkruese4258]

@@susanwestern6434 I know, they’d rather beg than work.

[@ebbyoflondon8365]

Ignoring beggars is counter-intuitive to me, but I would rather take the guesswork out of giving a handout and simply donate to registered charities instead. They should know who the genuine cases are through and as long as they are on the Charities Commission register and their operating costs are minimal, I will donate. Another bone of contention are the 'begging bags' asking for clothes, jewellery and perfume that are regularly pushed through my door. They are not all registered charities and are businesses, which in my view makes them a better class of scrounger. No thank you.

[@HarunalRashide123]

Dont give to Oxfam or Barnados or NSPCC they are all a con. Maybe help for heroes, RNLI or local charities.

[@RJD2838]

I once offered to buy a begger lunch he said no lunch i want cash, only time I've seen someone turn down a free meal

[@ianpetch]

There was a guy selling the big issue in our town centre for 6 years, maybe more, and when he announced that he was quitting the local newspaper actually did 'farewell' piece on this 'chatty pleasant chap who will be missed'. Can you believe it? He even would be seen nicely dressed with his wife and kids pushing a pram around the shops in the towns shopping centre! (Darlington)

[@elliotspencer2648]

I used to live in Bristol until 2 months ago, I know this gang they are mainly romainian, who all live in expensive parts of Bristol (clifton, southville) and all of them have been caught going in shops in broadmead (Bristol City center) stealing things, I should know I had them coming into my shop stealing. They are not poor or homeless, don't give them a single penny, I never did.

[@Katewelsh2415]

It happens in Belfast every day they get dropped off fancy cars

[@alyb731]

This has been going on for years.

[@DessieTots]

No surprises here. There’s a non-native here in Glasgow driving about in a RangeRover with the number plate ‘Beg 1’ . I saw him on one occasion driving round Glasgow city centre collecting the money from his beggars.