frump

I wonder why noone has posted for the last couple of hours. Maybe the high horse Felicitynormal was riding on has gone lame.....

Persistence can come across as very aggressive, especially when the usual rules of social engagement seem to have been dispensed with. When someone is in your face making hectoring demands, that can feel very intimidating. Whatever is the root of this woman's difficulty, she is perceived by some as aggressive and by others as distressing. When she approaches children in the ame manner I believe she is crossing a fine line. My daughter found it aggressive and distressing, weeping or not.

Jumpinjackflash, there is a previous thread which I can't find. She is doing the rounds in Nunhead and has been around for a long time. I posted before because she approached my daughter some time ago. Daughter was in school uniform and very upset by the distressed appearance of this woman who was harrassing her for cash. PCSOs have said they'll look out for her but mention of this seems to inflame forumites who assume such intervention can only be punative when in fact they may be the only people who can gain access to priveleged information about other support this woman may need/ may reject/ may welcome............

I am a mature student at the IOP,in my 4th year of a part time MSc, does that count?

Just to add, I have now E Mailed the PCSOs and hope that they will read this thread and consider what, if anything they are able to do in such situations.

Having just read this thread, I think I will contact the PCSOs. This woman has benn begging for at least the past 3 years. I first encountered her in Brockley about 3 years ago when her request was exactly the same. I suggested she contact Social Services Emergency Duty Team as it was out of hours, but this was not received well. My daughter was then approached by her a year ago. My daughter was in school uniform and shaken by what she perceived as very real distress in this woman. About 3 months ago, she accosted my neighbour who agreed to go home and get some money. She then thought about this and decided against it. I was then asked to explain that there would be no money as the woman was waiting at the bottom of our road, spotted us and again asked for money. Several neighbours then began debating the situation; pros and cons with one very carefully explaining that they knew this woman and her story was completely fabricated. Another expressing outrage that there was no help for her ( an assumption on her part). As the debate raged, the woman walked away and no resolution as to what we should do was reached. I will contact the PCSOs and request that they make enquiries of the local services to at least ascertain that she has support around her. As a mental health professional I am not naive about the complexity of these situations and if she refuses support (which seems possible) and until she is a danger to herself or others, there is unlikely to be much in the way of help unless she wants it. If she breaks the law, the PCSOs can make their own decsions about how to deal with it.

Went out for the day here in Nunhead. Left the front door wide open. Returned to find everything in order except for a note from the local Police suggesting we close it next time and remove our key cars from the hooks in the hall. And that was before the Home Sec. and armed officers moved in to the area ensuring even better protection.