80% of rough sleepers were attacked or abused this year, charity says

Almost 80% of people sleeping rough were attacked or suffered abuse or anti-social behaviour over the past year, a homelessness charity said.

As Crisis opens its centres to thousands of homeless people across the country this Christmas, the charity said two thirds of people felt that living on the streets was getting ever harder.

Around one in three rough sleepers questioned in England and Wales said they had been deliberately hit, kicked or been subjected to violence, while a similar number said they had things thrown at them.

Almost half reported being intimidated or threatened with violence, six in 10 claimed to have been verbally abused or harassed and 10% said people had even urinated on them.

Shockingly, 7% said they had been the victim of a sexual assault while homeless.

Others reported having things stolen from them or their belongings being deliberately damaged or vandalised, but more than half did not report crimes to the police as they did not think anything would be done.

The report, drawn from a survey of 458 rough sleepers, comes as Crisis is calling on members of the public to urge their MPs to back the Homelessness Reduction Bill, currently going through Parliament.

On Wednesday Prime Minister Theresa May vowed to put “prevention at the heart of tackling homelessness” as she has unveiled £20 million of funding to stop people becoming rough sleepers on the streets of London.

Mrs May also announced £10 million backing for projects aimed at helping those at “imminent risk” of becoming homeless, the money coming from a national £50 million fund announced in October.

Jon Sparkes, chief executive of Crisis, said: “For anyone sleeping on the street, life can be a struggle just to survive.

“Rough sleepers are far more likely to be victims of crime, including violent assault, abuse and intimidation, compared to the general public. This is a horrifying state of affairs and shows why we need to prevent people ending up in this situation in the first place.

“Christmas can be a particularly difficult time for homeless people. While others are enjoying the comfort of family and friends, homeless people face a daily struggle just to stay safe and escape the cold.

“Yet we also need to make sure people can get help all year round, ideally before they become homeless in the first place.

“The Homelessness Reduction Bill currently making its way through parliament aims to make sure people facing homelessness can get support when they need it, and we urge the public to help by calling on their MP to back this crucial bill.”

Crisis expects to take in around 4,000 homeless people to its centres around the country this Christmas, offering companionship and hot meals.

A Local Government Association spokesman said: “Councils are doing everything they can to prevent and solve homelessness, working closely with partners to place people into secure, appropriate accommodation and equip them with the skills to find work or ensure their health and well-being.

“Faced with rising demand, wide-ranging welfare reforms and falling social housing, councils are struggling to tackle the nation’s growing homelessness crisis.

“The Government needs to give councils the powers and funding to resume their historic role as a major builder of affordable homes and to address the widening gap between incomes and rents. This is vital to end homelessness.”

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