Should Begging Be Made Illegal?, Calls for city centre begging to be criminalised Options

[ARu-999]

Yes the 'music' dimension!!

There is a Roma (I'm guessing she is, I don't know for sure that she is) woman who hammers away on a guitar on Rosemount in Aberdeen most days, simply awful noise. I asked the adjacent shopkeeper (a Curry's electrical shop) if they didn't find the noise a bit tiresome. Seems they had asked repeatedly for the woman to be moved on, but nothing was done as the authorities did not want to appear to be vindictive or non PC.

If this attitude does not change, it will I feel get worse in years to come, so I think there should be an action on the government to curtail these activities.

Introduce ID cards for everyone, and if you are a foreign vagrant you are escorted to the border. Why?, we cant afford them

Immigration from other parts of Europe is to be welcomed if the immigrants come and work and pay tax, if you are here to be a vagrant you should not be made welcome, we have enough indigenous vagrants to support, we shouldn't be supporting anyone else's underclass.

On a lighter note (pun), there was a bus parked outside the Buchanan St shopping mall during the days leading up to Xmas playing the most appalling Cliff Richard dirge, I think it was a Catholic hospice??, that noise was equally as bad as the Roma woman with the guitar!

[amclpreston]

If someone begs in bare feet on a freezing cold day, then rather them than me.

I do give to people who beg.

Not every time.

And do you know, I generally feel quite good about it.

I don't take my attitudes from this or that businessman who doesn't want some scruffy person sullying his lovely doorstep. Nor from some Tory MP.

[**droschke7**]

There is no reason for ANYONE to be "begging " on the streets of any city in the UK. The UK has one of the best welfare states anywhere in the world and the money AND support provided is enough for people to live without begging.
I know the incoming "flak" will be from those who say " there but for the grace of god" and all that but that is nonsense!
I took steps to ensure that I would NOT require any welfare handouts other than those that I had already paid into, eg. State pension.
I still pay tax on my annual income although retired and rely on no-one but myself and wife to manage our affairs.

All due respect but you obviously haven't seen some of the latest news from Ian Duncan Smith, he wants to send terminally ill people on "work experience" or he will stop their benefits, we may soon be seeing them on the streets as well, so the "Welfare System" so here in the UK isn't as good as it used to be or as people believe it to be. That being said begging in the streets should be banned especially those that follow you down the street asking for change. I once saw a bloke outside Greggs in Partick, holding a sign saying "Haven't eaten in 4 days" as I was going into Greggs for a Chicken and Mushroom slice I thought I'd get 2 and give the guy one of them. Luckily they were doing 2 for the price of 1, I took 1 out of the bag and handed the bag, with the other chicken and mushroom slice, to the beggar and walked away. The next thing I know I got hit on the back of the head by the chicken and mushroom slice and heard the beggar cursing at me, as I'm disabled there wasn't much I could do about it, but since then I have ignored all beggars and big issue sellers.

[*Guest*]

I'm a bit disappointed to read some of the less charitable opinions expressed by some posters in this topic. To my mind, all of the beggars that I encounter (on a daily basis) fall into 1 of 3 categories, and my thoughts on each are quite different.

1. Obviously immigrant origin, usually regular as clockwork, and have no place begging on the streets of Glasgow. Whether they are attached to organised "gangs" I have no idea, but there will have been at least a minimum of Social Work input in order to house them etc., and to provide a channel for them to express their needs and rights. To be begging on a daily basis is just ripping the pish.

2. Non-immigrant regulars, who don't appear to be distressed, other than the fact that they'd like a hand out from anybody who is intimidated or stupid enough to put their hand in their pocket. Chancers and wasters

3. Anybody who appears to be genuinely distressed, whether immigrant or not, who look as if they really have no other choice (at that point) than to be hoping for spare change from people who wouldn't miss it in a month of Sundays. I have no issues with this "category" of people. And let's remember, they are people, however low they appear to have sunk, not necessarily through their own actions. I would include Big Issue sellers and buskers in this category, as they are at least trying to do something to help themselves, rather than just sticking a hand out and asking strangers for money.

The government led media in this country would like all unemployed and disabled people lumped under the one heading of scroungers, which makes their benefits easier to attack. Don't be fooled, there are a lot of people now suffering genuine hardship because the fat cats screwed up and ordinary tax payers had to bail them out.

All I'm saying is try to look at the whole subject, and not just whether begging should be legal or illegal - it's just not that simple.

[peterdroper]

This is something I do feel strongly about. I believe we should help those who cannot help themselves but do nothing for those who will not help themselves, the problem is differentiating between those individuals. For anyone who is truly homeless or hungry there is a welfare system and safety nets in place. Of course there will always be those who fall through the cracks of these systems (mental health, alcoholism, drug addiction etc) but we have to attack this by working with, supporting and improving the agencies and charities that try to manage poverty. If we continue to give money to beggars, then we are sending a message that it is acceptable to sit barefoot in the street and expect strangers to pass their wages and benefits over to you.

Do not give to beggars. If you are tempted then put some money in a charity box instead. Even better, set up a standing order to Shelter, Crisis or the Salvation Army who are better placed to ensure that your contribution makes a difference.

[mustard]

Personally I find beggards in any City pretty intimidating. I was in New York when they banned (pan handling) and I for one was glad. You would come out of a bank and they would (courteously) hold open the door and most people would then tip them. I never I could not get past them quick enough - Sam

[Doug1]

Aggressive, annoying, pestering or gangs of beggars should be knocked on the head but as for the odd character with his cloth cap I'm not so bothered about!

[Scotsman]

There have been a few stories about this in the Evening Times over the last few weeks and I was thinking it was to do with the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games because no doubt the cooncil is going to want to get rid of the beggars in time for that.... did they not do something like that in the last games in India when they rounded up the street beggars and put them in jail during the games?? Delhi I think it was.

[Heather]

I used to give to those begging in the street, but now I rarely do except for the Nun who usually stands near M&S or Debenhams with a tin to drop the money in and I always get a smile and a thank you.

I stopped buying the Big Issue as it usually Immigrants who sell it now, plus it has become a load of rubbish.

[Jimmuck]

Having been a 'beggar' on the streets of Toronto, back in the late '70's, I have compassion for some and none for others. The pissed up drunk gets nothing, unless he's a better fighter than me and the ones who 'do that little extra? are rewarded for their ingenuity!
When I was down on Skid Row in T.O. I would buy a bag of 'Coloured Combs' from "Honest Ed's" and when I saw a young 'lovey couple' coming towards me? I'd select a comb as near to the colour of her coat as possible and 'give it to his lovely sweetheart' I was usually rewarded with a Dollar, on the girls bidding.
I also sang in the doorways of Burger King/The Book Store at Yonge and Dundas where I earned a few bucks for singing "Me and Bobby McGee" 8-9 times over .. I'd make enough for a packet of Rothman's a Hamburger and Fries and HOT Coffee.
So, "There But For The Grace of God" can apply closer than you might think.
I celebrated my 34th year of continious sobriety last August 22nd. and expect to reach 35 this August "One Day at a Time"

Donna and I went on a trip to Halifax, Nova Scotia, last week (we moved to her home province in November last year) and while walking down Spring Garden Rd? I met a young fella about 23-25 with a cardboard sign on his chest which said "HUGS are FREE!" well, imagine Donna's face when I grabbed that youing fella and gave him a BIG Hug (along with a $5.00 bill) and further down, outside Tim Horton's, a rip roaring drunk, waving a stale Glazed Donut, telling the world he was 'hungry' not starving ... so! I took him into Timmy's and bought him a roast beef sandwich, along with my own cheese. He ate it with gratitude, commented on Donna's 'beauty' and went on his merry way ... so, my fellow Glaswegians, use your discretion and you might just make a difference and 'my gestures' did more for MY SOBRIETY than they did for those two 'fallen brothers' just as it was for my fellow poster, amclpreston

[*john donaldson*]

I live in Toronto Canada there are many people begging on the streets here, this is because of the unemployment situation and the lack of decent welfare rates why would we make this a criminal act when it is the authorities who have caused the problem.

[Jimmuck]

I noticed someone mentiones "The Big Issue" sellors?? well, I have a story to share with you all and if it doesn't tug at your heart strings, "Yurr noa fae Glesga' for we never looked doon oor noses at emday in Springburn!

"Stuart" the "Big Issue" sellor ....

I saw him nearly every week
He had no claim to fame
I spoke with him and I laughed with him
But I never knew his name

He thanked me for the pound I gave
For I always gave the same
And I said you're very welcome son
For I didn't know his name

He shared with me his housing plights
And I thought it was a shame
And he said how bad he felt sometimes
Though he told me not his name

His legs were bad for many weeks
He hobbled and was lame
And he had to sit for it hurt to stand
This young man with no name

At Christmas time he wore a hat
Likr Santa when he came
And I wondered if he would come to him
The guy without a name

And I never heard him curse or swear
His words were always tame
I respected him; he respected me
So did I really need his name?

He was part of life, and now he's dead
And I know I'm not to blame
But I kinda wish when I had the chance
That I'd asked that boy his name

But there's one who sits in the Holy place
The eternal Holy flame
And he's greeted him and he's welcomed him
And it matters not his name

For the Bible says at the foot of Christ
Is the victory we can claim
And the first and last, and the last and first
Shall be called by a NEW name

When I see him next, in that lovely place
And that surely is my aim
Then I''ll say; hey lad, remember me?
And at last I'll know his name

[wombat]

Having been a 'beggar' on the streets of Toronto, back in the late '70's, I have compassion for some and none for others.
I also sang in the doorways of Burger King/The Book Store at Yonge and Dundas where I earned a few bucks for singing "Me and Bobby McGee" 8-9 times over ..

jimmuck

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[Jimmuck]

And your point is??? ya scabby wee vermin ye

[*Mac Yavelli*]

There have been a few stories about this in the Evening Times over the last few weeks and I was thinking it was to do with the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games because no doubt the cooncil is going to want to get rid of the beggars in time for that.... did they not do something like that in the last games in India when they rounded up the street beggars and put them in jail during the games?? Delhi I think it was.

Take the Sydney Olympics; all the nongs and dysfunctionals were offered moves to the costal holiday areas to keep them quiet about P.C. Wrights interference. Some of these once pristine areas became crime and violence ridden, the schools filled with profesional morons and bikies moved en masse in just a few years after. Send the problem away! What about the good people they are foisted on?