A “FAKE” homeless woman has defended begging on the streets every day despite having a council-paid flat because “it was either this or be a hooker”.
Emily, who lives in Cambridge, discussed her begging – which she described as “work” – in an upcoming BBC Three documentary Fake Homeless: Who’s Begging On The Streets?
When asked by presenter Ellie Flynn how often she begs on the street, despite receiving benefits every two weeks as well as her flat, she said: “I try and turn up every day. This is work to me.”
But when pressed on why she begs despite not being homeless, she responded: “It’s work, like I say. It’s a job. It was either this or be a hooker.
“That’s the truth. There aren’t many options for a person like me.”
The documentary follows police officers trying to deal with the problem of “fake homelessness” in British town centres – with forces across the country claiming that “deceptive” begging has become and increasing issue.
Another featured in the documentary is Damian, from Liverpool, who describes himself as “genuinely” homeless and tells presenter Ellie that it “p***es me off” to see “fake” homeless people begging in the city.
Cambridgeshire Police has stated that there has been a significant surge in begging, but officers maintain that there are no rough sleepers on record.
It is estimated that 4,751 people are sleeping rough on any one night in Britain – and 600 of those are in the Cambridgeshire area.
While it is not known how many “fake homeless” people there are in Britain, Merseyside Police have said that 8 per cent of people arrested for begging between 2015 and 2018 have accommodation.
The documentary also explores the radical extremes some have gone to in a bid to stop begging on the streets.
Among them is Ashley Sims, a shamed businessmen exposed by The Sun Online for celebrating attacks on Muslims, who has claimed he is on a mission “expose fake rough sleepers” in Devon.
Mr Sims says that he wants to try and protect the “business fraternity” of his community, so in an attempt to stop begging he offered accommodation and even drug money to addicts so they would get off the streets.
When confronted on this in the film, he said: “F***ing hell, of course you let them take drugs.
“That’s what they do. That’s why they are in this situation they are in.
“That’s why they have blown every chance they’ve ever had.”
THE KEY FACTS: How many homeless people are there in the UK, where are they and what are the main causes?
How many people sleep rough in Britain each night? According to the latest figures, 4,751 people are estimated to be sleeping rough on any one night.
Is rough sleeping on the rise? There was an increase of 15% from 2016 to 2017, while since 2010 rough sleeping estimates show an increase of 169%.
Which areas saw the biggest increases? In 2017, the North West of England saw the biggest percentage increase in rough sleeping since last year (39%). This is followed by the East Midlands (23%) and Yorkshire and the Humber (20%).
What are the main causes for homelessness? Some factors and experiences can make people more vulnerable to homelessness: these include poor physical health, mental health problems, alcohol and drugs issues, bereavement, experience of care, and experience of the criminal justice system. Structural factors can include poverty, inequality, housing supply and affordability, unemployment, welfare and income policies. Structural and individual factors are often interrelated; individual issues can arise from structural disadvantages such as poverty or lack of education. While personal factors, such as family and social relationships, can also be put under pressure by structural forces such as poverty.
Source: Homelessness.org.uk
But it is not just vigilantes who are taking firm action – the police have also stepped up efforts to tackle begging.
Sergeant Phil Priestley of Cambridgeshire Police previously said: “We do not want people to be misled, because it can be a lucrative opportunity.
“It is natural to feel for anyone who appears to be living on the streets or who seems to be affected by hardship.
“We urge anyone who wants to assist the issue of homelessness to donate to a registered charity who will take a coordinated approach to tackling the problem.
“If you do feel moved to give something – offer food or a warm drink by all means – but please do not offer money.”
In Torbay locals launched a campaign to drive “fake homeless people out of seaside town”.
Homeless charity Humanity Torbay urged people not to give money to beggars or the homeless directly but to homeless charities who provide food, clothing and help.
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Chairwoman Ashley Sims said: “One thing these people don’t like is being photographed or filmed, so we’ve gone and done that.
“We have identified who is genuine with the relevant charities and their names and if they are homeless or not. Five of them have told us they wont go begging anymore if I don’t put their photo up.
“Of the 17 photographed, only two were genuine street homeless.”
Fake Homeless: Who’s Begging On The Streets? will be available on BBC Three from November 25.