Destruction of rough sleeper's belongings by Fareham Borough Council sparks outcry

Fareham Borough Council has employed two security officers to engage with rough sleepers in a 12-month trial, costing £70,000.

But some residents are concerned that they are not offering enough support to homeless people, with the council seizing and destroying belongings as a means to move rough sleepers from the area.

It comes after security officers discovered personal belonging’s in a sleeping bag in a hedge in Civic Way, leading to the items being destroyed earlier this month.

Now more than 250 people have signed a petition calling for the council to reconsider its approach.

Lou Anderson, a care worker from Park Gate who started the petition, said: ‘It’s just not on.

‘They have their clothing taken, they have their sleeping bags taken.

‘The possessions they have are still sentimental to them.

‘I just want the officers to back off. They are just trying to move people on.’

The council will remove any unattended items if they pose a public health risk, including soiled bedding and drug paraphernalia, according to Councillor Trevor Cartwright, executive member for health and public protection

Cllr Cartwright said: ‘It is not possible to store these items, so they are destroyed to protect both the public and council employees.

‘Rough sleepers are given several verbal warnings before any item is removed.

‘The council is part of Fareham StreetAid, a network of organisations who work together to ensure support is provided to suit the needs of each individual rough sleeper.’

But Lou says concerns about drugs are ‘an excuse’ not to ensure belongings return to the their owner.

Regarding the concerns about blood contaminated items, she added: ‘Maybe it’s a woman who is on her period and doesn’t have sanitary products.’

The number of people sleeping rough in the town centre has fallen over the last year, with a national survey recording 19 rough sleepers in 2018 – but only 10 in 2019.

In October, the council launched a card to deter begging and make it easier for residents to donate to the Two Saints’ Gosport Road Shelter, a 18-room direct access hostel with shared facilities and full-board catered service.