Tiggz is told to move his yellow caravan and boat from city junction
A MAN who has been living in a caravan in the middle of one Derby’s busiest junctions is angry that he is to be evicted.
The homeless man, who is known as Tiggz Dat Author, has been camped in the middle of Cockpit Island in Derby city centre since December 22 with his distinctive Jamaica-themed caravan and boat.
The 33-year-old, whose given name is Stephen Bullock, is upset that Derby City Council served him with an eviction notice yesterday, ordering him to leave.
Derby City Council says he is a danger to himself and road users by occupying the site. If he does not move, it will impound the caravan.
The dad-of-one previously said he had come to the city to spread a messaged of “peace, love and unity”, having set up camp in the city back in August as well. Tiggz says he feels the council is not being supportive to the message he wants to share. He said: “Most people who’ve been through what I’ve been through wouldn’t be standing here today but I am and I’m telling my story. I’m not a negative person – I need to inspire people. I’m spreading nothing but peace, love and unity and they’re opposing that.
“Over Christmas I was handing out meals to the homeless and I’m homeless myself.
“People love the message I’m bringing and I’m not doing anything bad. I want to be treated like a human being. Now the council are threatening to try and destroy my stuff. Now they’re going to take it away and if they do that I’m going to be a homeless man again.”
Tiggz says he was able to move on to the site because he had people who support him, and refutes the council’s claims his camp is a danger to himself and road users.
He said: “I won’t be able to move it - I haven’t got the money to fund it. If anything I’ve made it safer. People slow down now and I’ve not seen an accident since I came here.”
A city council spokesperson said the decision had been made as it was felt he posed a danger to himself and road users.
It said: “Following lengthy and detailed conversations with legal services and partner organisations, the view of the council is that the caravan and boat being situated on a very busy traffic junction presents a danger to himself and road users that cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely.
“Since the arrival of Mr Bullock in Derby on Tuesday, December 22, he has consistently refused to engage with any and all offers of assistance and accommodation by council officers including regular visits by the public protection team and ... housing officers, leaving little option but to take legal steps to remove him in the most safe and timely way possible.”