Police Take Sleeping Bags And Food Parcels Away From The Homeless

[Kromovaracun]

This news is a few weeks old, and I'm not sure if it was discussed on AB or not, but in case it hasn't I thought it might be worth bringing up.

There have been numerous reports suggesting that Metropolitan Police officers have launched co-ordinated attacks against the homeless - including taking their sleeping bags and their food parcels:

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/05/24/police-take-homeless-peoples-sleeping-bags_n_3331100.html

http://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/news/crime-court/police_swoop_on_the_homeless_taking_sleeping_bags_and_food_parcels_in_co_ordinated_raids_in_redbridge_1_2206446

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/may/24/met-police-rough-sleepers-possessions

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/police-seize-possessions-of-rough-sleepers-in-crackdown-on-homelessness-8631665.html

I think we can all agree that if there is a solution to the problem of homelessness, this probably is not it. Why was this action taken in the first place? What do you think is the best solution to homelessness?

[chrisgel]

1 Why was this action taken in the first place? - Nimbys

2 What do you think is the best solution to homelessness? - Build more homes

[Kromovaracun]

What does "Nimbys" mean?

[jim360]

Not in my Back Yard -- so that a NIMBY is someone who opposes local developments while supporting the same ideas elsewhere.

[Kromovaracun]

Ahhh okay. Makes sense.

[chrisgel]

Sorry Kromo I was in the middle of something - Not In My Back Yard. I would imagine, though I obviously don't know for sure, that local residents have complained to the police regarding people sleeping rough in the area and the police have taken this action to persuade the "vagrants" to move elsewhere.
It's not an answer to the problem but it shifts them off their patch and re-assures the ratepayers they are getting value for money.
As to homelessness, my answer stands. I'm aware that their aren't enough hostels etc. to house all the homeless and the consequence of this is that people end up "sleeping rough". I'm also convinced that shelter of any kind is preferable to sleeping outside in the elements and at the mercy of drunken louts who seem to take pleasure in persecuting these people.
My own thoughts are that every major city could, at little cost, provide a secure area with basic facilities (wc's, running water etc) and use for instance containers with a minimum ammount of furniture etc as temporary accommodation.
This may sound callous but I'm sure it's preferable to sleeping in a doorway in the middle of winter.

[sandyRoe]

Most cities have more beds available for 'rough sleepers' than there are homeless people to occupy them. Many of the people who sleep in doorways have serious mental health problems and would rather face the dangers outside than the bedlam that some hostels are.
One partial solution would be to have hostels where no alcohol or drugs were tolerated.

[ToraToraTora]

why have they not prosecuted these theives? If I took away possesions of someone in the street I'd be prosecuted.

[douglas9401]

Ah, the good old British Bobby.

Excuse me constable, could you tell me the time please?
Yeah, it's time you moved along sonny and don't ask any more stupid questions.

A tool for those who have influence and a weapon to keep the rest of us in our place.

[Baldric]

Friend of mine is a Security Officer in Dover, he unlocks a factory building for an 0600hrs start, and frequently 'moves on' rough sleepers from the doorways (no animosity, he's on first name terms with most) This factory is the other side of the road to a hostel that provides beds, food, showers etc, but most won't sleep there as they prefer to rough-sleep.

[Kromovaracun]

"most won't sleep there as they prefer to rough-sleep."

Interesting. Do you know why?

[Gromit]

Surely this must be illegal. If the police take someones property and refuse to give it back, that must be theft.

It seems a bonkers policy. People sleeping rough is unsightly, but to steal their possessions does not solve the problem. They will still be homeless the following night, still have no where to sleep. It is difficult to see how they hoped to achieve stopping rough sleepers with this policy.

[woofgang]

I remember seeing a documentary about rough sleepers quite a few years ago now. It followed two or three men who were moving from the street to flats and how hard and overwhelming they found it even though they really wanted to be off the street. I think only one of the group had a diagnosed mental health issue, the others had just been ground down by their way of life. All eventually made it into their flats but they all kept their "street" stash for some time and used to go back to the street when the pressure of having a home and caring for it got too much.

[pastafreak]

More cities are being encouraged to adopt the ' no second night out' protocol-first tried out in London-which seeks to assure that no rough sleeper spends more than one night at a time outside.
It will:
Provide a rapid response to new rough sleeping, based on better intelligence and public awareness.
Link those who migrate into central London back into services where their local connection means they are most likely to sustain a life away from the streets.
Provide a single offer based on the assessment of each individual’s needs, which means no-one need spend a second night out on the streets.

http://www.nosecondnightout.org.uk/about-nsno/what-we-do/

[WatTyler]

The idea behind this is if you give them a kicking in the ribs and nick their bedding they will move to another location and stay out of your patch.

sandyRoe >Most cities have more beds available for 'rough sleepers' than there are homeless people to occupy them. <

Can you give some locations that have an excess of available beds please.


There is a big shortage up North.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2013/may/15/salford-homeless-shelter-narrowgate-closes

[Baldric]

@ 11:34^^^^ I'll see if he knows next time I see him

[WatTyler]

Over the last few years the people in power have moved the soup kitchen from one place to another. Last i heard it was under the Mancunian Way well away from the city centre. Cuts,cuts and more cuts even the big house does not want them

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/homeless-people-fear-being-forced-859820