| |
Charity calls for boycott of shops
Stores to move homeless on from doorways
A LEADING homeless charity is calling for a boycott on shops in Whitehall and the Strand which are taking part in a police initiative to stop homeless people sleeping rough in doorways.
The Simon Community branded the No Sleeping scheme, which encourages shops to put up ‘no sleeping’ signs in its doorways as “outrageous” and “cruel.”
The Whitehall Safer Neighbourhood Team last week launched the scheme after homeless people claimed they had consent from owners to use doorways for shelter.
With consent the police are not allowed to push rough sleepers on.
Since the widening of the European Union on January 1, many jobless Romanians and Bulgarians have come to Westminster.
Many are sleeping rough in the Strand and say they learned the doorway ploy from other homeless people in the area.
Tim Nicholls, Director of the Simon Community said: “This is another example of officialdom becoming removed from compassion for the weak, and seeking to criminalise and demonise those who do not make it in our society.
“There aren’t enough bed spaces for all rough sleepers, so to wake them up and hound them out of areas is nothing but cruel.
“Ethical consumerism must now take a new direction in this country. Shoppers must factor in, not only are the goods they buy fairly traded, but also have the shops they have purchased items from decided to force away a vulnerable, lonely and isolated person from the doorway the previous night.
“We urge them to support this boycott until shopkeepers change their attitudes.”
The charity last week carried out a headcount of rough sleepers in Westminster, finding 196, with only 42 spaces being available in the 66 hostels in central London they phoned on the same night. They say police officers should refer rough sleepers to agencies so that they can receive support.
Sergeant John Ericksen, the policeman leading the No Sleeping scheme, said: “We re not trying to demonise the homeless. There are enough beds in London for these people, and this scheme will help them get there.” |
 |
|
| |
| |
