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Charity accused over tents for homeless people will work with police

A Stafford-based charity accused by police of encouraging anti-social behaviour after giving homeless people tents has vowed to work with officers.

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Staffordshire Police

House of Bread said it handed out tents to help rough sleepers as 'a last resort'.

But last week it was warned to stop doing so after police said a tent community had built up in the town centre.

A Staffordshire Police warning notice handed to the charity said officers had seen a rise complaints over problems in the town centre linked to the tent occupiers.

A group of tents had been set up on the grounds of Trinity Church on Mount Street, with others dotted around the town centre.

Trustees at the charity met on Thursday to discuss what action to take next.

House of Bread's director Will Morris said: "Yes we do give tents away when we need to.

"We talk to people, we try to get them into a B&B, it's a last resort. It's absolutely a last resort - I don't want anyone sleeping in a tent. But sometimes it has to be that rather than nothing.

"If it's a vulnerable individual, we'll put them up in a B&B at our cost. We don't stand here and say 'get your tents! Get your tents here!' It's not like that."

He added: "There is a little bit of denial there (Stafford) and there is a bit of nimbyism and it's going to be a challenge but we are all about solutions.

"Our community has created this problem and it's created social isolation, which leads to alcoholism and drug misuse. We're responsible for that and we need to wake up and take notice of that. If everyone was a good Samaritan we wouldn't be in this position."

Complaints made over the tents included people urinating and taking drugs in public, human faeces being found and 'inconsiderate and rowdy behaviour'.

A letter from police to the charity, which has about 200 volunteers in Stafford, warned it could be fined £2,500 if it did not stop handing out the tents.

A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said: "Unfortunately, Stafford has an issue whereby a tent community is developing within the town centre leading to a number of complaints of drunkenness, and evidence of drug misuse.

"Working in partnership with local agencies we are endeavouring to provide support to those in genuine need who find themselves homeless. Through our enquiries it has been made clear that this, for some, is a chosen lifestyle. We are working closely with the council on preventative measures.

"We will work with anyone involved in the supply of tents to help them understand the impact on the wider community which includes the business community.

"Should we feel it is appropriate, community protection warning letters will be issued only after all attempts have been made to engage with those involved."

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