Forum Topic

Southall beggars have increased in numbers

Old and infirm together with Teen aged and healthy looking people have joined the Numbers. It seems to me at-least one or two have beenbrought in from European neighbouring countries and have been abandoned here. Sad state of affairs to see the old and infirm with outstretched hands pleading for Alms. Are they being managed by exploiters ?

Os A Whittle ● 4172d11 Comments

Indeed it is dangerous and also illegal.

Nigel Brooks ● 4163d

Thanks to Ben . The suggested did Help me quite a lot.I picked up on Nigels suggestion too but a new way of begging has begun.Like the traffic jams and Car Sreen washing service that had been stopped a good while ago,it has now started with the begging NOTICE thrust before the drivers view and a rattling pot by an adult beggar, worming his way down the queue of traffic waiting to move on. Would you say that on these dark evenings it would be dangerous both fo the beggar and the road user.?

Os A Whittle ● 4163d

The gangs know that too Gerry.No matter how much it may hurt you, walk on by and give the money to a charity that supports the homeless that way you are not supporting criminal activity.

Nigel Brooks ● 4166d

I've noticed a few more beggers in Ealing lately - maybe its because Christmas is nearing.

Gerry Tan ● 4168d

We need our immigrants from EU and elsewhere, I am one myself, but there are clearly some problems. I used to be against ID cards, but if we had those, it would be easier to check people's rights. I think that is how other EU countries control who qualifies for what, while still treating own citizens and EU citizens the same. Also, did you know the border people check who arrives but don't check or note who leaves? Some food for thought here, which no government has so far been able to act upon.

Barbara Karayi ● 4169d

That's the problem Gerry. Getting in is as easy as leaving.Engineers, doctors, surveyors and many in the professions where the representative bodies have moaned for years about the problems of getting entry visas and work permits for highly qualified individuals.

Nigel Brooks ● 4171d

Exiting airports in UK seem easy most times - they seem to wave one through without much checking."...denying entry to those from 'Commonwealth' countries with the skills of which we are short."What are the skills we seem to be short of in the UK would you say?

Gerry Tan ● 4171d

In fact 'Yes they very are'

Keith Iddon ● 4172d

Yes Gerry they are.Although most members of the EU signed up to the Schengen agreement to allow free movement they 'beefed-up' border control at airports and stations for 'non-Schengen' states soar those with whom a 'common travel agreement' had been reached (including the UK).It should be so much easier for us as an island but we seem to not care about who we let in while denying entry to those from 'Commonwealth' countries with the skills of which we are short.

Nigel Brooks ● 4172d

"...an indictment of our lax border controls."Are our border controls more lax than our major European neighbours?

Gerry Tan ● 4172d

Given the number of women trafficked into Southall and 'wider west London' for prostitution (of which I have written before) I would not be at all surprised if the old and infirm are not being trafficked and exploited as organised beggars. Most claim to be Romanian with a right to enter the UK to work, many are from adjoining countries on false papers (at least in the case of the prostitutes) with no right all to be in the UK.Terribly sad for the individuals involved and an indictment of our lax border controls.

Nigel Brooks ● 4172d