Forum Topic

Beggars on the High Road

Earlier on today, I happened to be walking past the Health Centre and came across a guy with a couple of girls in their 20/30s. They were sitting on the wall as he was scribbling on some cardboard. Iffy I thought, but I didn't think much more about it. Until that is I saw the same two girls plying their trade on the High Road, looking far more disheveled than previously. A generous old dear handed one a fiver (outside Waitrose), so their guise certainly seems to be paying off.A sad state of affairs, and it does make me wonder if the male was some sort of pimp.

Gordon McDonald ● 2148d25 Comments

Perhaps report to the Police if you feel the girls are in any kind of danger ?

Loraine Pemberton ● 2148d

I have no reason to suspect so, especially as they were chatting away when I walked by, and they don't seem to be under supervision on the High Road (opposite ends).

Gordon McDonald ● 2148d

It's Christmas.

Roger Talbot ● 2148d

Yes Roger it is Christmas-you are right -  would one choose to sit on the high road to get the odd pound? Our rich people in Chiswick could be a bit more aware how people are suffering and empathetic - it is such a difficult time for so many people.

Helen Bamberger ● 2148d

If, as I'm pretty sure, these are "professional" beggars, then they definitely should be reported to the Police. For the type of people who are controlling them to beg are quite capable of exploiting them in other ways.And as for those charitable Chiswick folk who are (quite properly) concerned for the welfare of homeless people generally, they should remember that these "professionals" are just diverting money from the genuinely needy.

Richard Cathcart ● 2148d

You've hit the nail on the head, Richard, this isn't about being anti-charitable, it's about making sure the right people receive the help.

Gordon McDonald ● 2148d

Yes- but if we give nothing what happens to these women - just another perspective. I don't want to give to rich CEO's- and I do realise there are people on the make but nowadays seeing so many people in dreadful need makes me wonder.I know a certain charity shop- not near here who paid not only their staff but aunts etc etc and helped themselves to the good stuff without paying for them. So I have become sceptable .

Helen Bamberger ● 2148d

Absolutely correct, Richard. I made exactly the same point on a recent thread about the same issue, which solicited lots of  unpleasant hot air from a sometime poster.Organised begging is beneficial to no one except the unscrupulous and is highly detrimental to genuine cases, and there are more than enough of those.

Keith Iddon ● 2148d

I think I saw these girls sitting in the High Rd this morning. Two uniformed people, no ID but did have a lapel camera on, had just passed the first one I saw who was getting a coffee cup out of her pocket. That is what drew my attention to her. A short distance up the road was the other one sitting on the pavement getting a cardboard handwritten sign from under her coat. The sign said she lived on the street and was pregnant.I heard her speaking to someone and she sounded English and very well spoken. I didn't notice anyone hanging around, but because of their actions I suspected they had been tipped off about the uniformed pair.I did wonder if the uniformed people were on beggar patrol or something. They could have been busy, as I saw at least 6 beggers (plus a Big Issue seller) between Sainsburys and TGT.

Bob Guyett ● 2148d

I saw the girl who has been selling big issue at the back of sains, sitting on bench in the front. Said she had been moved on. Couldnt quite understand what she was saying but I assumed it was by Sains. Gave her a few quid and went home. But thinking about it, and reading this post am wondering if there is a bit 'territory' thing going on here, because now there is a new girl at the back. It must be hard enough having to sit in the cold begging, without being pushed around as well.

Stephen Gould ● 2148d

I saw the usual girl outside Sainsbury’s at the back yesterday. She said she had been kicked and forced to move. She certainly had what looked like a very painful knee. I bought her some hot food and a packet of biscuits as I don’t like to give money. Apparently some kind of turf warfare I think,

Jann Grant ● 2148d

So sad those that are genuinely in need of help get caught up with the scammers. I think we know the genuine people and we always give them a little something.

Jayne Thorburn ● 2148d

I'm pretty sure I saw these girls being 'delivered' to Sainsbury's car park last Thursday, by a guy driving a car.  They were getting themselves sorted out, then he drove out of the car park, leaving them.

Micki Hawkes ● 2148d

Keith Iddon explained:" I made exactly the same point on a recent thread about the same issue, which solicited lots of  unpleasant hot air from a sometime poster.Organised begging is beneficial to no one except the unscrupulous" As you're clearly an expert on the job market Keith, here's some more "unpleasant hot air" for your consideration. Under present conditions what alteranative employment would you like to suggest for these two girls? Who are apparently spending their time waving their cups around in Chiswick soliciting the odd pound here and there, from well heeled residents ? Would you prefer they were "genuine" beggars instead? Of the kind you're so concerned about ? Or perhaps you'd like to suggest some other form of employment for which you think they may be better suited ?Sometimes its hard not to get the impression that some people really won't be satisfied until there are armed gangs roaming Chiswick High Road in broad daylight, armed with guns, knives and bicycle chainsdepriving residents of watches, jewellery, cash and other valuables at gunpoint before speeding offon their Harley Davidsons. And what with a No Deal Brexit coming up, and having just been re-watching Mad Max 2 and 3 again myself in preparation, who's to say they're going to be disappointed ?michael adams

Michael Adams ● 2148d

Richard Cathcart explained:" And as for those charitable Chiswick folk who are (quite properly) concerned for the welfare of homeless people generally, they should remember that these "professionals" are just diverting money from the genuinely needy."In other words, in your considered opinion, in a country which is supposedly as rich and as civilised as is the U.K., it's still perfectly acceptable for the "genuinely needy" to be dependent on charity, is it ?Because if they weren't so dependant on charity, there would no reason to be so concerned about any money which was being "diverted" to fraudulent beggars would there ?Or at least not on that count, anyway.michael adams...

Michael Adams ● 2148d

I saw the same two girls that Stephen refers to on Wednesday as I was going into Sainsbury's. They were having what seemed to be a fierce argument, and when I came back from the car-park a different girl, as he says, was sitting in the Big Issue sales corner. I usually make sure I've got a couple of pound coins to give to the Big Issue girl, but it won't be long now before I run out of pound coins, and since, like most people, I rarely use cash these days, I'm not replacing them, and I'm not sure I want to hand out a fiver or a tenner every time I go to Sainsbury's. I suspect the lack of ready coinage is already causing the supply of casual contributions to dry up for the people on the street.

Colin Jordan ● 2147d

I have seen these ladies organising themselves by the health centre after work. One at least appears to have plenty of credit for her mobile phone.

Keith Welham ● 2147d

When oh when are you goo d people going to open your eyes these are professional beggars, the lady by the bus stop by Robert dyas she and her family own a house at the rear of the,high street I have,spoken to her next door neighbour whom informs me they own the  house and have two Mercedes in their,drive, so you carry on paying their mortgage, bills,Tec, I for one,have learned my lesson, the,young lady and man outside sainsbury they are drug users, I witnessed a elderly lady give them ten pounds, around 10 minutes later they were,sitting on the green taking their drugs so carry on paying for their drugs,I just feel sorry for the,genuine homeless

Julie Greenjam ● 2146d

This is the same type of gang that are all over the posher areas of London.The girls beg and usually use Big Issue as legitimacy. At end of day they pay their "rent" to a gangmaster. And that is their "job". In Kensington, I saw same woman outside the Waitrose for over 3 years. I saw her dropped off and picked up. I guess she was Romanian. Is it slavery? Is it criminal? I suspect it is. Giving money will just make the thug that runs them richer and encourage him to get more "mules". The police know about these gangs but probably have difficulty getting people to testify.One thing that is certai,n is that these ladies are not free agents and do not get the money that you give.

Richard Potts ● 2145d

Andy the Big Issue seller outside Waitrose is legit. Please help him out if you can. As for the others (pregnant girls, men on crutches with wobbly heads) I agree that 90% of them are part of an organised gang.

Chris Blackwell ● 2144d

I suppose it takes some guts to beg like this if people are doing it to wilfully take money off kind hearted people. You need to look them in the eyes before you part with your had earned money, you can almost definitely tell if they’re genuine or not so!

c james ● 2144d

Also Lawrence outside M&S is legitimate, the rest are not, I checked with Big Issue  HO.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2144d

Instead of bothering about a few poor beggars in the streets of Chiswick, why don't people put their energy into bringing to account the civil servants who have wasted millions and millions of ££££'s on useless PPE and paying middle men for supplying the rubbish to the NHS. These are the people who should be investigated and held accountable, not a few girls who are down on their luck and having to resort to begging. Whatever the reason, it can't be very pleasant for them.

Steve Taylor ● 2144d

Some of you will recall a beggar with a twisted foot (carries a crutch) and a shakey hand, who used to operate on CHR. Appeared to be Eastern European.Anyhow, I happened to be in Ealing the other day and I noticed him begging outside the Broadway Centre, make of that what you will.

Richard Cathcart ● 2136d

What am I supposed to be making of it? Maybe he got a bus (or two). Seriously, I'm missing the point of what you are saying.

Anne England ● 2136d