Begging

What is begging?

Begging is the solicitation of money or food, especially in the street. There is a close relationship between begging and homelessness and homeless charity Crisis estimates that over 80 per cent of beggars are homeless. People who beg are among the most vulnerable in society, often trapped in poverty and deprivation, and it is regarded as a risky and demeaning activity.

Begging is visible on the streets of many British towns and most of the public report seeing someone begging in a public place at least once a week. Research carried out by the University of Glasgow found that begging was overwhelmingly driven by need rather than greed, although the apparently increasing prevalence of begging is coupled with an increasing perception that beggars, rather than being homeless and hungry, use the money they receive to support their addiction to drugs or alcohol.


Background

Although begging is illegal it does not carry a jail sentence under the Vagrancy Act 1824.

Many people begin to beg because they are not receiving benefits when they first start to sleep rough. There has long been a strong relationship between begging, substance misuse and poor physical and mental health.

Beggars have generally experienced a disruptive family background, substance abuse, exclusion from the labour market and institutionalisation and often have an acute lack of self-esteem. Many beggars have at some time found themselves victims of violence and harassment from the public.


Controversies

The Government has been considering implementing legislation that would make begging a recordable offence under the National Police Records (Recordable Offences) Regulations 2000. The main homeless charities, such as Crisis and Shelter, have criticised such a move, saying that the negative impact of a criminal conviction would burden already vulnerable people.

The main homeless organisations argue that criminalising begging will only accentuate the social exclusion of beggars and say that measures are already in place to combat aggressive or threatening behaviour, such as anti-social behaviour orders and the Public Order Act of 1995 in the case of aggressive begging. These organisations have called for the provision of adequate services to tackle the complex needs of beggars, providing genuine alternatives to street life.

The Government has continued to attempt to dissuade the public from giving money to beggars.


Statistics

45 per cent of beggars and street drinkers say they have a dependency problem. Over two in five beggars say they started begging to get money for drink or drugs

Research carried out by Luton University for the Rough Sleepers Unit claims that 86 per cent of people begging reported currently using drugs. 49 per cent of these were using heroin

The same study found that 65 per cent of beggars report receiving benefits including job seekers allowance, income support and disability living allowance

It also found that 59 per cent of beggars make more than £20 a day and 12 per cent make over £50 per day

Statistic 1: (Source: Crisis, 'Walk on By', 2000); Statistics 2, 3 and 4: (Source: 'Looking For Change: The Role and Impact of Begging on the Lives of People Who Beg', 2001)


Quotes

"Many members of the public find begging intimidating and we know that most people who beg are misusing drugs. Giving money to people begging on the street can trap people in a harmful addiction and does nothing to help them rebuild their lives."

Hazel Blears, then Home Office Minister for Crime Reduction and Policing, 2003

"Without question many of the people who are begging are difficult to help, but this should not obscure the highly pertinent challenge which the resurgence of begging does now pose for social policy makers."

Professor Hartley Dean, Luton University

"It is undeniably the case that begging is not socially acceptable. The fact that it exists, it is intrusive and it conflicts with an entirely legitimate aim of providing a pleasant and welcoming environment in the city centre for the general population."

Judge Richard Holman, 2003