I don't know about the other side of the pond, but I recall one "beggar" in the states that made the national papers.

He left his home in suburbia in the early morning hours, and went to a cheap hotel in the city. There he dressed in his "poor man street clothes". After begging all day long, he went back to the cheap hotel, changed clothes and went home.

My memory is not exact, but I believe he did this for about 17 years before he packed it all in for some reason. His average take during that time was in excess of $50,000.00 US per year and he had built a comfortable living for himself and his wife, a nice portfolio of investments, and a decent retirement income.

Bottom line is that being dumb, drugged, and drunk may be real or may be an act for sympathy. It is awfully hard to tell for anyone who is disgusted with the sight of you, or feels sorry for the plight they believe you are suffering.

If it is an act to make you contribute, it is a better survival method than trapping wildlife in the local parks with a heck of a better retirement plan.

Bountyhunter