What's the proper way to deal with someone begging?

I walked through my local highstreet, for the most part I spend my time walking around with earphones in.
Anyways one woman spotted me coming and attempted to ask me for money, I chose to ignore her.
The second woman less than 5ft away tried the same thing.

I do feel guilty as i feel like if I give to one I have to give to them all.

What bothers me is that here in the uk, you can claim benefits.
But I worry these people are not here legally.
And I worry if I stop and talk someone might mugg me.

I'm not judging, I just avoid talking to them because on another seperate occasion recently one woman swore at me for saying I no longer walk with change, which since the pandemic is true.

😔