Begging on Rye Lane

[JohnL]

Just shouted at and reported to the police the guy with dark long hair who has been begging here for the last few weeks

Had enough of being pestered - even at this time of year

[Blah Blah]

How very noble of you. Let's arrest and fine the poor guy who probably already has nothing anyway.

[DulwichFox]

I hope you feel better about yourself

And your public spiritedness

It's a thin line between owning your own home and ending up on

The street.

Have a Happy Christmas

DF

Not many people get a DF

[Jah Lush]

Cunt.

[edcam]

What a misery you are. You should spend some time in the homeless guy's shoes.

[uncleglen]

Maybe it's this man!

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/beggar-who-earned-50000ayear-and-lives-in-300000-fulham-flat-is-arrested-again-8646973.html

[Blah Blah]

Yeah really misleading headline there, conveniently overlooking that the flat is owned by a housing association!

[JohnL]

He is following me rather aggressively every morning and night now - I really find that rather annoying

I'm beginning to avoid him coming home (crossing the road, hurrying past) because he's always there - suppose nobody else would mind that. If he sees me he comes rushing towards me.

[JohnL]

When I did give him some money he asked for more. I won't respond to aggressive demands - especially when he has made it obvious he 'knows where I live' - and has now 'relocated' there - hopefully not because I gave him a few pounds.

[JohnL]

Think it's the bus stops and betting shop and Tesco he's targeting

Just happens to stand between our two entrances.

Area is on a down curve at the moment with renewed whistling also- and I'm not mean - I often donate my small change.

[Jeremy]

John - probably should have said in your original post that he was agressive. It's a pretty important point! FWIW, I don't blame you for drawing a line.

One of the reasons I rarely give money to beggars is because of the likely aggression and pestering for more money.

[uncleglen]

His flat is Housing Association means he has a low rent (or none if he is getting housing bnefit). Anyway, he is supposed to be 37 - the stress of begging makes him look more like 57!

[Blah Blah]

Glen, you know nothing about the persoal circumstances of that guy apart from his ASBO for nuisance begging. Newspapers always get the facts right obviously?

He may well have/ had drug or alcohol problems. He may also have mental health issues. ASBO's are served as a last resort, when other efforts to mediate haven't worked. The article implies greed - earning 50k a year, living in a 300k smart pad etc. Well he doesn't own the flat, so what does it matter what it's worth? I doubt the 50k a year is accurate either, I'm sure he doesn't keep written accounts of his proceeds from begging.

I've seen a few people begging in Rye Lane that clearly have mental health problems. Finding a solution to the behaviour of those people is not going to be easy. Arrest and fines are least likely to have an effect. A fine just means you have to beg more to pay it right?

[missteak]

Kill

Me

Now

[Mick Mac]

If any begger becomes a public nuisance then it needs to be addressed. Id guess that's the law rather than just JohnL's personal view.

[JohnL]

looks like he's been told to sit there with a pot outside Tesco rather than be proactive (by going around and following people). Watching - everybody is avoiding/ignoring him at the moment.

Knowing what happens at Clapham Common (by the cash machines) I assume that is allowed.

[uncleglen]

Your user name is most appropriate Blah Blah (may I add one more Blah?)

[Blah Blah]

Maybe the Police had a word with him John?

Glen stop being a knob :D

[JohnL]

No - Walked past at 1:00 am today - harassed again - and a threat made.

"you're going to get beat"

[Blah Blah]

That's definitely not good. You can't be the only person he talks to like that.

[uncleglen]

There used to be a bunch of young beggars with a dog at the top of the stairs at Guy's Hospital and in the morning they looked very forlorn so I gave one of them some money. I went home early one afternoon and they were still there having a party with a massive bottle of cider- I have never given money to 'beggars' since in case I am promoting alcoholism or drug addiction (or a luxurious lifestyle)

[Blah Blah]

A lot of people begging have drug and/or alcohol problems. But begging is better than stealing. When I see someone begging I always ask what they need the money for. If it's food or electric for example (so necessities) then I offer to buy them some food or put electric on their key for them. If they won't accept that help the chances are it is for alcohol and/ or drugs.

[kristen]

Hi JohnL

Have you tried the Safer Neighbourhood team?

You can email/phone them - http://content.met.police.uk/Team/Southwark/PeckhamRye

Telephone: 020 7232 7277

Email: [email protected]

www.met.police.uk/saferneighbourhoods

They're supposed to be in Dulwich Library on 7-8pm on Wednesday & Thursday & Saturday but don't now if that info is up to date. There is also a street briefing at the Gardens Cafe on 2 January at 3pm (anyone can attend)

Here's a link to their priorities - http://content.met.police.uk/cs/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobheadername1=Content-Type&blobheadername2=Content-Disposition&blobheadervalue1=application%2Fpdf&blobheadervalue2=inline%3B+filename%3D%2252%2F175%2Fpr_southwarkpeckhamrye.pdf%22&blobkey=id&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhere=1283759948191&ssbinary=true

You could also contact community wardens - http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/200030/community_safety_and_enforcement/431/community_wardens

Tel: 0207 525 5846

Email: [email protected]

You shouldn't have to face threats of violence - they should take it seriously and follow up

But if nothing happens then speak to your local councillor to follow up.

[JohnL]

I did make a report (only anonymous on the website though). Someone has confirmed his behaviour and that it is only one guy (all the other people "begging" are passive and rather forlorn) - so he hasn't just targeted me.

Just surprised others haven't noticed as he rushes up to you in a frightening way.

Not even sure if the "beat" comment was made by somebody else with him directed at him when I think about it as I'd turned my back (as in he'll get himself beat if he runs at people) - it could be read that way and I'd be much happier if that was the case :)