Homelessness crisis right on our doorstep

On the face of it, slapping a threatening legal notice on the belongings of a homeless man on the city streets does seem heavy-handed at least - or plain ‘heartless’ at worst. That is how critics are describing the council’s tactics for removing rough sleepers’ tents, which even includes destroying their meagre belongings.

Now the authority has rightly admitted the wording in the notice is “a little harsh” and will be toned down in future. But it still won’t be accepting tents and camps in the city centre. This has to be the right response. Because the truth is that no-one wants to see people sleeping on the city’s streets. One person left outside on a cold winter night is one too many. And help is out there. Catching Lives provides day and winter night shelters which offer warmth, food, clothing and support - if you comply with their no drink or drugs rules. The fact is that there is a support mechanism in place. Indeed, the council itself is working very hard with charities like Catching Lives and Porchlight to help put a roof over people’s heads. Since July 2018, 198 rough sleepers have been found permanent accommodation and last week £1m of government funding was secured to continue this good work. But in the past few months it’s seemed as though there are more people seeking shelter in shop doorways across the city than ever before.

It just underlines the almost impossible task facing the council. For every rough sleeper they re-home, another soon arrives.

We, in turn, must do everything we can to support our local charities - so they can help people turn their lives around.