Very hard to determine who's a beggar and who's homeless. My sister is a lying thieving drug addict and as a result, she spends her time with other lying thieving drug addicts. They all have a studio flat each in the same place with very low rent set up by a charity to help drug addicts who are on benefits try and turn their lives around. Someone I used to go to school with is also in this situation and we were 'reunited' when he asked me for change while I was on my lunch break and recognised each other.
We talked and he told me of his situation and how he comes to this town where I work because he usually gets around 20 or 30 quid a day and the police don't hassle him. Well a few weeks later it seems they have all been coming here as word has obviously got out.
Really annoys me as they all have addresses and claim benefits so they have a chance, they could attempt to find work or make a positive change as they have an address and get their methadone from the doctor, are forced to attend classes designed to help but instead they choose to beg to support their habit and use methadone as well as heroin.
I would guess this is probably typical behaviour so you cant trust someone who sits in a doorway asking for change as chances are they aren't homeless and just have a habit they want you to pay for.
It stops me wanting to give anything to anyone begging. A genuinely homeless person who could really do with a bit of help, maybe a few quid short from renting a room for the night or a coffee will go without.