http://www.killingwithkindness.com/ Web site for London’s (fairly hard-core) campaign to get people to not give money to beggars.
“Don’t give to people begging on the street; you could be killing with kindness. … those begging are unlikely to be homeless … 62% of people arrested for begging in Camden and 42% in Westminster gave fixed addresses when charged. … Money given is likely to be spent on drugs and/or alcohol … Those arrested for begging in Camden: 80% tested positive for Class A drugs 62% have a conviction for Class A drug offence 83% had a conviction for acquisitive crime offence.” (What proportion had none?)
(Questionable language used in the FAQ: “Beggars can gain fast access to a hostel bed in Camden & Westminster and it does not cost them a penny”; “It is rarely residents who give but they are the ones that suffer the most from the problems of persistent begging in their neighbourhoods and the anti social behaviour that goes with it.”)
There must be an interesting story behind all this. It appears that only one charity is a “partner” in the campaign; I think St. Mungos was once, but they now say that whilst they “broadly support” the campaign, they “would never say that people should never give to beggars, it is up to individual and the circumstances at the time.” 08:33
