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Homeless camp set up outside magistrates' court

Charles Heslettin Bradford
BBC A green domed tent next to piles of rubbish outside a metal gated alleyway BBC
The tents outside Bradford Magistrates' Court

An illegal encampment has been set up outside a court building by a group of rough sleepers.

A number of tents appeared on the precinct of Bradford Magistrates' Court a few weeks ago and has now grown to nine.

Bradford Council's Homeless Outreach Partnership team is aiming to disperse those on site, said a spokesperson.

But the boss of a local charity said there was "no quick fix" to the situation.

A bald man wearing glasses and a light blue shirt standing outside a building with a blue door.
Jon Royle outside the Bridge charity's headquarters in the city centre

Jon Royle is chief executive of the Bridge charity, which helps those who are homeless.

He said: "There's no quick fix for this. The people who are rough sleeping usually have very complex lives.

"Often, as well as the rough sleeping, they've got problems with drugs or alcohol or potentially untreated mental health problems.

"They've grown up with a lot of trauma in their lives."

He praised the work of the council, and other agencies, and said Bradford had better "outcomes" for the homeless and rough sleepers in comparison to other, similar-sized cities.

A red tent with a blue sleeping bag draped over the top with three more tents pitched on paving stones in the background
The occupants of the tents have been contacted by the council's Homeless Outreach Partnership team

He said: "I can honestly say that every person we work with, we can find a solution to their housing situation.

"But actually sustaining that solution is the challenge.

"People are frequently helped to move off the streets but then, for various reasons, they return to the streets and rough sleeping."

A collection of green and red tents pitched next to a grey concrete building
Each time the rough sleepers are asked to move some simply re-pitch their tents next to another part of the court

A council spokesperson said: "We have been working directly with the people who are sleeping rough at this site through our Homeless Outreach Partnership (HOP).

"We are speaking to partner agencies about dispersing and supporting where appropriate others who are also gathering here."

The HOP team offers support and both short-term and long-term accommodation to rough sleepers.

The spokesperson said: "The 12-strong team includes drug and alcohol workers, complex needs workers, and specialists in housing options who are able to offer wraparound care to those who need it."

Royle said: "It's something that we have to keep investing in.

"We need to maintain a persistent, consistent approach and just not give up on anybody who is out there sleeping on the streets."

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