Begging in Northern Ireland

irishjohn

It is important to re-classify these people supposedly selling a magazine on the streets. They are not homeless beggars.

These people have an address and in order to claim benefits they must classify themselves as "self employed" - this provides them with the opportunity to claim housing benefits, and working tax credits and child tax credits.

The magazine they offer for sale is their "business" but rarely will they hand over a copy to someone who gives them money.

No matter what your conscience tries to tell you, that money you hand over could be put to much better purposes, in the hands of a charity who will use it effectively.

My suggestion would be to buy some low cost toiletries and have them in a small bag and offer these to someone homeless, as everyone needs soap and toothpaste to help you feel better physically - or offer them an energy bar to eat.

donnac2558

Puddin_ wrote: »

I just wanted to add my two cents to the conversation. After living in Aberdeen for a year, and returning to Belfast I have come to the conclusion that there are very few beggars who are really in desperate circumstances. The majority seem to be Roma folk, who technically, as someone put it, are self-employed as they hold the big issue.

Another poster mentioned a young lad, neatly dressed outside the Nationwide. I have seen him a few times and witnessed someone give him a winter coat. No less than 2 minutes later, a friend came along and they drove off in a BMW.

In Aberdeen the majority of beggars are local and the down-on-their luck sort with no home to go to. I do believe there are some of these people in Belfast but many seem to have a reputation and get regular handouts from people who have befriended them.

I honestly hate all the Big Issue selling in Belfast, they are everywhere. I like buying food for the homeless, or even just cups of tea but these people don't seem to appreciate it.

Getting off the bus Saturday morning with a friend we spotted him. Large fancy umbrella and four or five coffees beside him. Friend said, "Oh look at that poor young man!" I had to explain after reading here it was a con. One the fancy umbrella and two how could he afford the fancy coffees. Would four or five random people buy him coffee when they see he already has one or two. So now I can add he is picked up by BMW.

CAPTAINBLONDECHICK

Rockman wrote: »

At the end of the day if people do not give them money then they will move on. The bloke on Royal Avenue who plays that strange instrument is quite annoying as he appears to only know one tune and plays it all day long.

There is one guy in the Royal Ave area pretending to play a Casio keyboard - all he does it hit the "demo" button on the keyboard and them mimes playing to the tune which the keyboard is auto-playing as the demonstration example (something classical - can't remember what). If you watch, his fingers do not match the rhythm of the melody - I don't know how people fall for it

eljapo4

seen another man in the corn market area with a doll that plays the accordion or some instrument while he sits on a chair with a few balloons in his hands. Seriously like if you're going to beg at least make an effort.

Cotta

I've noticed an individual posing as a homeless person appears outside of the Danske bank in the evening around 17:00 when people are finishing work and remains there for a few hours.

I'm pretty sure this is another scam.

jenheiffer

qwert_yuiop wrote: »

So money was no object as long as it was someone else's. You went out with Gordon Brown?

No, but strangely enough he was Scottish!;)

jenheiffer

eljapo4 wrote: »

seen another man in the corn market area with a doll that plays the accordion or some instrument while he sits on a chair with a few balloons in his hands. Seriously like if you're going to beg at least make an effort.

Och well, it is nice cheerful music - and I suppose he needs money to buy batteries or whatever it is that powers the doll!:)

donnac2558

Update. Where the old women used to sit begging with on copy of Issues and saying change, outside Centra Donegall Sq East(?). Now a foreign guy in a big wheelchair holding a cup not speaking just begging, not copy of Issues.

First thought let a firework behind him and see how fast he jumps up and does a runner.

eljapo4

lol a clip like that could get you £250 on You've Been Framed

Cotta

This is getting out of hand, I spotted the man with the doll and balloons and to be honest it looked a bit weird, however going along that street there were a number of beggars.

The example given above at Donegal Square East is particularly cynical and my question is this - can the police not step in?