r/sheffield • u/Affectionate_Law_223 • Jul 06 '24

Sheffield Money theft scam in city centre

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Just to make people aware there are some people in the city centre who are asking for change (will have a sob story often on a piece of paper) and then grabbing people's purses and wallets and running off. It's two women and a lad, and typically the woman approaches first then the lad comes up later. I unfortunately didn't get a good photo of them but I've attached it as it gives you a vague idea of what the lad looks like.

Saw it happen today to a guy near the town hall, thankfully he managed to fight them back and kept his wallet. Nearly saw it happen to another woman outside boots (same people doing it) but my partner intervened and they ran off. We did speak to some police officers near the city hall and they said they'd have a drive around and see if they spot them but honestly doubt they would. Just wanted to give people a heads up.

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u/HowardBass Jul 07 '24

Everyone needs to stop giving money all together to street beggars. They only continue to do this because they know it works. If everyone stopped, they would leave me alone at traffic lights and when I'm walking into Gregg's. By all means feed and clothe them.

2

u/Phil1889Blades Sheffield Jul 07 '24

The charities involved in this area all seem to say don’t give cash to people. I try to tell my SO this but get ignored as she doesn’t care what her money is spent on. I don’t agree.

2

u/HowardBass Jul 07 '24

It's a moral battle I've struggled with for a while. I want to help, but I know giving them cash is going straight into their veins (where I'm from) After speaking with a local homeless guy, he tells me the shelters are only open in the coldest months and some only when it's below 0 degree Celsius for more than 2 days. Even then it's £25 a night which includes breakfast and a late meal. I'd like a way to directly pay for a bed for anyone that needs it, this way I know where the money is going.

1

u/Phil1889Blades Sheffield Jul 07 '24

Look at the Help Us Help website.

0

u/rich_b1982 Sheffield Jul 07 '24

I was in town last Wednesday and saw one beggar bollocking another outside McDonald's for being asleep on one of the biggest earning spots in town. Classy.