This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38386088
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Rough sleepers 'urinated on' by public, survey finds | Rough sleepers 'urinated on' by public, survey finds |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Rough sleepers have described being urinated on, having belongings stolen and being sexually assaulted while living on the streets. | Rough sleepers have described being urinated on, having belongings stolen and being sexually assaulted while living on the streets. |
Homeless charity Crisis said of 458 street sleepers it interviewed in England and Wales, 80% had suffered an attack or abuse in 2016. | Homeless charity Crisis said of 458 street sleepers it interviewed in England and Wales, 80% had suffered an attack or abuse in 2016. |
More than half said they did not report crimes, as many believed that the police would not be able to help them. | More than half said they did not report crimes, as many believed that the police would not be able to help them. |
The government has promised to support a bill aimed at tackling homelessness. | The government has promised to support a bill aimed at tackling homelessness. |
'Appalling and dehumanising' | |
Crisis chief executive Jon Sparkes said the report exposed a "horrifying state of affairs". | Crisis chief executive Jon Sparkes said the report exposed a "horrifying state of affairs". |
"We knew it was dangerous on the streets already but the very scale of it is quite shocking," he told BBC News. | "We knew it was dangerous on the streets already but the very scale of it is quite shocking," he told BBC News. |
He said crimes like urinating on a person, which affected 7% of those surveyed, were "appalling and dehumanising" but that victims often felt too ashamed to go to the police. | He said crimes like urinating on a person, which affected 7% of those surveyed, were "appalling and dehumanising" but that victims often felt too ashamed to go to the police. |
'Kicked in the head' | 'Kicked in the head' |
Gary, who has slept rough in Yorkshire, told Crisis he feared gangs of youths who would roam the streets in the early hours. | Gary, who has slept rough in Yorkshire, told Crisis he feared gangs of youths who would roam the streets in the early hours. |
"Anyone sleeping in the shop door was done," he said. "They used to brick them or worse still - a couple of lads that were sleeping on the streets with me got knifed while they were asleep." | "Anyone sleeping in the shop door was done," he said. "They used to brick them or worse still - a couple of lads that were sleeping on the streets with me got knifed while they were asleep." |
Being homeless was the only reason Simon, also interviewed by Crisis, was kicked in the head by a member of the public this year. | Being homeless was the only reason Simon, also interviewed by Crisis, was kicked in the head by a member of the public this year. |
"He said, 'Are you homeless?' I said, 'Yeah' and he just kicked me in the head. I was sat on the floor reading my book." | "He said, 'Are you homeless?' I said, 'Yeah' and he just kicked me in the head. I was sat on the floor reading my book." |
Many of those interviewed said they had become reclusive in order to avoid violence. | Many of those interviewed said they had become reclusive in order to avoid violence. |
Dan, from south-west England, said: "I stay by myself quite a lot. I don't want to get involved. | Dan, from south-west England, said: "I stay by myself quite a lot. I don't want to get involved. |
"It doesn't really do me any good mentally because I'm on my own, but I do find it's safer." | "It doesn't really do me any good mentally because I'm on my own, but I do find it's safer." |
Six per cent of the street sleepers surveyed said they had been sexually assaulted in the past year. | |
"Police need to reassure homeless people their safety is paramount and they will investigate these crimes," Mr Sparkes said. | |
More than 250,000 people in England are homeless, according to charity Shelter. | More than 250,000 people in England are homeless, according to charity Shelter. |
On any one night in England last year, an average of 3,569 people slept rough, according to government figures, a 30% increase on the previous year. | On any one night in England last year, an average of 3,569 people slept rough, according to government figures, a 30% increase on the previous year. |
Prevention | |
Recent estimates suggest there are some 8,000 homeless people in Wales,15,000 in Northern Ireland and 35,000 in Scotland. | Recent estimates suggest there are some 8,000 homeless people in Wales,15,000 in Northern Ireland and 35,000 in Scotland. |
Crisis expects to take in 4,000 people over the festive period at its Christmas centres in London, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Coventry and Birmingham. | |
Volunteers provide hot meals, healthcare and advice on how to access housing, work and benefits. | Volunteers provide hot meals, healthcare and advice on how to access housing, work and benefits. |
But Mr Sparkes called on the government to do more to prevent people from losing their homes in the first place. | But Mr Sparkes called on the government to do more to prevent people from losing their homes in the first place. |
In January, the Homelessness Reduction Bill will be examined in detail by a House of Commons committee. | In January, the Homelessness Reduction Bill will be examined in detail by a House of Commons committee. |
Bob Blackman MP, who introduced the bill, has said he hopes it will give people longer to seek help from their local authority. | Bob Blackman MP, who introduced the bill, has said he hopes it will give people longer to seek help from their local authority. |
He proposes councils intervene when someone is facing homelessness within 56 days' time, instead of 28 days as now. | He proposes councils intervene when someone is facing homelessness within 56 days' time, instead of 28 days as now. |