Paul Joseph of BI has advised they are not allowed to have children under 16 with them.
We should e mail him direct with their badge number paul.joseph@bigissue.com

Perhaps because it would be somewhat absurd to object to something on grounds of race (and aren't we talking about Europeans anyway?), but that cultural differences can cause offence?

Culture is almost always the issue - rightly or wrongly - rather than race.

Well, ethnicity is a minefield (although I'm not sure 'European' has ever been a classification of race).

Many people throughout history have been as 'absurd' as you suggest.

Haven't you got her ID number by now Brian? I'm surprised. Would've thought you'd have had that plastered on this forum by now.

(Sugar. Now I've put an idea in your head.)

Anyway, hadn't you decided to "enter and leave by the rear entrance" in order to avoid them?

Hi Never Modern
Again one can not critisise these people without being attacked.
How many other nations would permit foreigners to beg in their countries.
Sad to say have not been to Sainsbury's today.

Bit confused by your ref to sugar. Probably I am being a bit thick ( would not be the first time).
I take it you do not mean Sir Alan
Anyway you will be pleased to hear this is my last comment on this subject. I agree we have covered every angle. Seems split between those who object to them and those who are not really bothered.
Any best wishes to all.

"How many other nations would permit foreigners to beg in their countries."

Loads. I've seen it in four different European countries in the last month. Sorry, Brian, I sympathise with you in some ways but that is nonsense. Unless there are offences of 'Begging while being foreign' in all sorts of countries I had no idea about.

Just thought I would point out that this topic now has the most replies and the most viewers on this website.

But half the posts are people commenting on the fact that so many people are commenting

If you add Forest Hill Pools and Forest Hill Pools continued you will find more posts and views, so really it is the pools that is the Big Issue on SE23.com

Has anyone asked Paul Joseph about illegal street trading. You need a street trading licence from Lewisham Council to sell on the street (including the pavement).

I haven't seen anybody selling the BI recently. Have they gone?

The Croydon man with the child is now 'doing the trains'.

But the big issue in Forest Hill is our Pools and the useless council.

If they are doing the trains I trust they have a ticket. Also do not the railway companies have a law against this.

Anyway I agree the Big Issue is the Pool. I think saying the council is useless is not very productive. Why not write to your councillor.

I have Brian and heard nothing from them, which has probably influenced my opinion somewhat. See the pools thread.

I was venting my frustration - wasnt aware you had to be productive on this forum!

Been away for a week, pleased to see that nothing has changed much. Can the webmaster use his/her discretion and archive this thread out of the way so we can concentrate on more important things? Surely surely surely everyone must have had their say by now.

Yes I agree and as they seemd to have moved on it seems to have finished itself.
BD are you suggesting censors certian items. Surely not the attitude of a Guradian reader, or it The Wolverhampton Post.

And an aggressive male beggar has taken their place! Come back the Big Issue seller all is forgiven!

Almost 9 months have passed since the last post. I am aware that the sellers had returned to Sainsburys but seemingly there have been no further problems . Until last night, that is, at Forest Hill station, at around 8.30pm where a woman wearing a Vendors badge and carrying the magazines, actively and aggressively pursued alighting passengers from a train for money and hurled verbal abuse at anyone who ignored her. She even tried to block the path of people leaving the station, me included. She then went up to two people at the cashpoint and hassled them for money. I believe the woman was one of the ones who are usually outside Sainsburys, as was the man who was standing nearby on the platform.

I would rather not have to write further on this matter but the behaviour last night was unacceptable .Given that they have now broken almost every rule in their BI (aggression, swearing, young children on patch) code of conduct I would hope that the Big Issue removes the badges of these people and offers the vending opportunity to someone who does not hassle the general public. I can't even see how their 'marketing approach' gets them any sales as people surely just want to avoid them.

I have no issue with the Big Issue; I have supported their Vendors for years and buy the magazine regularly from Vendors in central London. Its just I think time for the BI management to take some responsibility for the behaviour of the vendors and either train them to adhere to the code of conduct, train them in basic marketing skills, or (preferably) replace them, as judging by last night, things have really now got out of control.

Attached is a link to the BI Code of Conduct.
http://www.bigissue.com/downloads/user/c...onduct.pdf

This sounds like a deeply unpleasant experience for all concerned. I hope it's been raised through the Big Issue's channels for comments on vendors in addition to being reported here.

From the BI website, you can find contact details (including a telephone number) at http://www.bigissue.co.uk/Contact_5.php

Nothing at all will happen unless this is reported to the Big Issue and/or police. I don't think we can rely on them reading the forum!

Do you know if anyone has reported this and the concerns generally?

Yes, the BI have been informed however they need badge numbers and colours in order take action against the right people.