Begging

Begging is a criminal offense (Vagrancy Act 1824), and giving to beggars on the street can encourage rough sleeping. In addition, if you give to people begging on the street, your money may not be going where you think it is.

Begging in the Edgware Road area

Edgware Road has become a lucrative area for beggars.  Although begging is a criminal offence, many people in this area use it as a means to make a living, paying no tax on the money they gain from begging on the street.

Unfortunately, people begging in this area are not only breaking the law, but also may not be what they appear. Due to the generous – but misguided – giving of monies to street beggars in Edgware Road, a number of ‘organised begging groups’ have started to operate in the area. These people are not genuinely homeless, and the money that they receive from members of the public is not used to help house and feed them, or their children.

These people are persistent and manipulative. Generally, beggars in the area tend to be of Romanian or other Eastern European origin.  Although some of these people may be Muslim, many are not, and yet they will dress in traditional Muslim attire (the hijab) in order to deliberately target people who want to give to charity or the needy during religious festivals such as Eid. As well as deceiving the public in this way, these 'beggars' may also be trafficking children, or using them as a way to make money.

In addition, the large number of beggars in the area is damaging to local businesses, and upsetting for those wishing to enjoy the Middle Eastern food and culture along Edgware Road.

Please do not give to beggars in this area. If you want to make a difference to people who are genuinely in need, please give to organised charities.

Some charities which help people living on the streets or in hardship in Westminster include:

St Mungo’s provides assistance to rough sleepers in the Edgware Road area of Westminster, working seven days a week to help individuals to find a route off the streets.

The Passage runs London's largest voluntary sector day centre for homeless and vulnerable people, helping more than 200 men and women every day.