I was back again today at Canary Wharf underground station. I played from 6pm onwards.
The set started off to a good start with lots of people passing and the usual clapping, cheering, tipping etc was happening.
However, in the second half of my set two homeless men turned up. I have noticed them before in a previous busking session here, but didn't really think much of it previously, as you always get funny characters now and again.
Well tonight I felt quite unsafe. They both were together and one man went on one side and the other man and his dog went the other side. Basically standing right in the flow of people coming up/down the escalators either side of where I was busking. They were trying to get money before I got it, and could see I was doing well and decided to try and get money there.
Anyway one of the men started shouting abuse at me, pointing and telling me to shut up. I ignored him and carried on singing. Then the other man with the dog came over. The dog didn't look very friendly either. He straight away said: “I'm trying to work.” That annoyed me and I said well I'm working too. He then said: “Can I give you 10 euros.” I thought he wanted to pay me to leave the busking pitch, but it turned out he wanted to give me 10 euros and I give him £10 of my coins to him. I said no, as I didn't like his attitude to me or the other man.
Next thing he was trying to intimidate me and using his dog too. There were two security men that could see what was going on, on one of the sides opposite me. They didn't come over to help until I had to say on my microphone can security come and help please. Even then I had to say it more than once and hand signal them to come over.
The security man said I'm not for this part of the station, I should ask someone else to do with the station. Basically he wasn't very helpful. The station staff were nowhere to be seen either and further up the station chatting. I couldn't exactly leave my stuff to go and get their help.
The homeless man then turned nasty, as I got the security man over and started singing badly in front of me and said well I'll have to stay here now and make my money, (as he wanted the 10 euros in £10 so he could get a room for the night. He said surely I can switch it and then take the euros to the post office tomorrow. When he said he needed to work. I said well I do too and need to pay my rent. He said your rent isn't due now blah blah).
Eventually he left after shouting out “your voice is s*** anyway!” I really did feel unsafe and no one really was bothered to help. If I busk here again I'm talking to the station staff, as I am concerned these homeless men will turn up again.