In reply to this discussion I would like to say that here in the UK Busking and begging are legally two different things.

How do I know this?

More than 25 years ago a street musician in Bolton Lancashire, was taken to court charged with begging, The magistrate through the case out stating that musicians had made their living in this way for centuries and he was upholding a noble tradition. The local TV news carried the story. "Busking is not begging FACT."

The police in the UK know they can not bring this charge.

On a similar note, I notice that there is talk that legal aid is to be introduced in the UK for slander and lible (spelling?) cases.

If this was to come about, I would certainly file a claim against anyone who said I was a begger.