How to deal with aggressive people on the street???

zaxdog

The previous thread that has now been closed got me thinking about how to deal with aggressive people/beggars etc on the street.

Fortunately where I live now this just doesn't really happen

In Glasgow I was accosted a few times by people of all creeds etc wanting money/selling. In general I just use a firm but polite "No thank you".

However on one occasion coming out of the subway I got caught up in a crowd round an elderly lady. There was a lady and a lot of small children begging and the elderly lady had no way to get past except by backing onto the "up" escalator. Luckily at that point being five feet nine in biker boots and a dog collar :eek: worked out for me as I sort of scooped up the elderly lady and just pushed through the beggars........

Was wondering how others especially in cities deal with situations like this?

And before I am accused of being hard hearted I do give to homeless charities and am involved with the local soup kitchen

Rosemary7391

It's tricky. I'm currently being collared by a bunch of kids because I asked them to stop throwing stones at folk. I can't wait to get away from the city ...

Freeraine

If at all possible, take photos or film aggressors, using your phone. Take a note of the time, date and place.

Then, report the incident online to your local police, telling them that you have photos. Alternatively, upload the video to YouTube or something similar and (if you are on Twitter) tweet about the incident, along with the video/photo and copy in your local police force, the local newspaper, local councillors and anyone else with a responsibility for crime and disorder.

The sooner you do this the better chance the police/local council can check the CCTV. Hordes of beggars are in the business of pickpocketing and thefts from the person. They are professional criminals. Aggresive sellers/beggars are committing public order offences, or obstructions, and need identifying and taking off the streets.

If unfamiliar with social media (Twitter, Youtube etc), or if you can't film the incident, report it online or by phone - but make sure you've got a very good description of the perpetrators, along with the time, date and place.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

A very firm 'NO' the moment they begin to open their mouth with the 'scuse me' and continuing without breaking my stride works for me. It's the same tone I use at school when a kid has pushed their luck too much and is interfering with something I have to do or following me round, whining.

OH was pestered regularly round here, to the point of being followed down the street, attempting to put their arm round him, until we were approached a few times together. After I'd shut them down a few times, they stopped approaching him even when he was alone.

boliston

I find a good trick is to avoid eye contact and look like you are very interested in something further along the road.

Petra_70

Yes I noticed my thread had been closed. Too many over sensitive hand wringing lefties decided to click 'REPORT!' And you can bet they're the same ones who deny ever reporting anything or anyone, and say that people who do it are running to teacher, and other snarky remarks...

Pathetic.

Re the OP, I would say to adhere to what what 'freeraine' says. (Post 3.)

Anatidaephobia

I've never really had any problem in Glasgow; not sure if you mean legit people selling things or other people actually harassing you or committing a crime (I didn't read the original thread). I know there are lots of charity people trying to get you to donate money and set up a direct debit but nobody has ever been aggressive to me. Once, one guy tried to walk with me down the street saying that if I couldn't stop to speak to him, he'd come with me; I just smiled and kept walking and eventually he gave up and went away.

I have noticed though that now charity people will approach you with increasingly loaded questions like "do you care about children with cancer?" presumably thinking nobody can say no to that, whereas before they would just ask for a minute of your time or something like that. Best thing is just to avoid eye contact, steer away from them, if possible make sure there's somebody else between you and them so that you're not the one they try to talk to.

Guest101

Anatidaephobia wrote: »

I've never really had any problem in Glasgow; not sure if you mean legit people selling things or other people actually harassing you or committing a crime (I didn't read the original thread). I know there are lots of charity people trying to get you to donate money and set up a direct debit but nobody has ever been aggressive to me. Once, one guy tried to walk with me down the street saying that if I couldn't stop to speak to him, he'd come with me; I just smiled and kept walking and eventually he gave up and went away.

I have noticed though that now charity people will approach you with increasingly loaded questions like "do you care about children with cancer?" presumably thinking nobody can say no to that, whereas before they would just ask for a minute of your time or something like that. Best thing is just to avoid eye contact, steer away from them, if possible make sure there's somebody else between you and them so that you're not the one they try to talk to.

A line like that will make them regret speaking to me. And i have heard it used, but for some reason (thankfully) chuggers avoid me.

The few times i have been approached I say i'm on my lunch break (which is true) and dont have time, or I already donate to my chosen charities (which is also true).

6'2, so i suppose i'm not easily intimidated.

Petra_70

Anatidaephobia wrote: »

I've never really had any problem in Glasgow; not sure if you mean legit people selling things or other people actually harassing you or committing a crime (I didn't read the original thread). I know there are lots of charity people trying to get you to donate money and set up a direct debit but nobody has ever been aggressive to me. Once, one guy tried to walk with me down the street saying that if I couldn't stop to speak to him, he'd come with me; I just smiled and kept walking and eventually he gave up and went away.

I have noticed though that now charity people will approach you with increasingly loaded questions like "do you care about children with cancer?" presumably thinking nobody can say no to that, whereas before they would just ask for a minute of your time or something like that.

Best thing is just to avoid eye contact, steer away from them, if possible make sure there's somebody else between you and them so that you're not the one they try to talk to.

Yes best idea. That's what my sister will be doing from now on after being accosted by Irish Gipsies in Blackpool the other day.

Also, it makes me sick how they say 'do you care about children with cancer?' Or 'do you care about animals' Me and DH just completely ignore them. I know that the vast majority of these clowns get about fifty quid (minimum) for each person they sign up.

Anatidaephobia

Petra_70 wrote: »

Also, it makes me sick how they say 'do you care about children with cancer?' Or 'do you care about animals' Me and DH just completely ignore them. I know that the vast majority of these clowns get about fifty quid (minimum) for each person they sign up.

Last time my partner was asked "do you care about deaf people?" he said "no" and the guy raised his hands in the air and said "OK, fair enough!" and walked away.

I've overheard others end up in arguments over this style of loaded question though.

duchy

Oh the answer "Yes *I* do ! " smile and keep walking.

It really confuses them.

Must admit after one very taxing day with my autistic son I was asked if I cared about children with autism- I took a very deep breath - and was about to let rip .....and the bloke just backed away. I must have looked as much at the end of my rope as I felt LOL