Letter: I Feel Sorry For The Rough Sleepers But One Told Me to F*** Off!

Published on: 9 Jan, 2018
Updated on: 9 Jan, 2018

From Shirley West

I was shocked to see this morning (January 9, 2018) in Guildford one homeless person begging in North Street and five in the High Street.

It was so sad to see one outside of the Guildhall and another outside Sainsbury’s, the mess was awful all around them. I do feel sorry for them but what visitors to Guildford must think I just don’t know.

My issue is that I stopped to speak to the man outside the Guildhall to ask if he was alright but it seemed that I distracted him whilst he was on his mobile phone and he said: “Why don’t you f*** off!”

I can assure you that I will never offer my help again and the sooner Guildford Borough Council can sort this problem out and clean up Guildford, the better.

Responses to *Letter: I Feel Sorry For The Rough Sleepers But One Told Me to F*** Off!*

C Barker Reply

January 10, 2018 at 9:38 am

I wouldn’t feel sorry for them, the majority are drug users. I’ve witnessed myself the group that sit outside Marks & Spencer meeting up with some other beggers (not all) from various locations in town. I’ve heard them on more than one occasion talking about pooling their scrounged cash to buy drugs. I won’t even offer any of them a sandwich anymore.
Sue Fox Reply

January 11, 2018 at 2:07 pm

I have just signed a petition asking for a shelter to be made available in Windsor.

As an ex-resident of Maidenhead and now Guildford for 40 years, I am appalled at these comments.

Homeless people do not get benefits or support for their addiction – it can happen to anyone

Windsor and Maidenhead and Guildford are among the richest boroughs in England and we have people wanting people to just go away.

It’s too sad for words.
F Smith Reply

January 11, 2018 at 3:28 pm

To Shirley West: it is rude to interupt someone when they are on the phone. What did you say to him? Perhaps as well as being annoyed that you interupted him he was also grumpy because he was freezing cold and had had an uncomfortable night on the streets?

Perhaps he was thinking “Of course I’m not all right, I’m sleeping on the streets while you vote for low taxes and a party whose sole aim is to make sure that the rich stay rich.”

To C Barker: Try to get through a British winter on the streets without using alcohol or other drugs to cope with the pain and cold.

Addition is an illness, not a lifestyle choice.
Peta Malthouse Reply

January 14, 2018 at 3:47 pm

I am shocked by this letter and the subsequent comment.

The reason we have an increase in homelessness is well documented and the difficulties faced by those are well understood.

When I was responsible for looking after homeless familes at Guildford Borough Council many years ago studies about alcoholism and drug abuse were published showing that most homeless pepole just started off homeless but after a couple of nights on the street they would use anything to try to blot out the reality.

In this present era we also know that a large percentage of rough sleepers are working, but on average it takes only two weeks to lose their job.

Austerity politics have created this.

Benefits have been cut for those in work as well as out and a ‘room and share’ in Guildford is £850 pcm.

It doesnt take much to work it out. If you want to help speak to Guildford Action.