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Richard Burdett |
‘Hot washing is ‘inhumane’, say researchers
Study criticises homeless spray tactic
THE use of jet sprays to wash rough sleepers off the streets has been criticised in a new study.
The controversial practice, known as “wetting down” or “hot washing” has long raised the ire of homelessness campaigners.
They have welcomed research from the Centre for Housing Policy at York University which concluded that the policy is punitive and ineffective.
Westminster is one of the few local authorities to use the deterrent and campaigners claim the practice has been stepped up, with some reporting cleaners deliberately soaking people with hoses to force them away from problem areas. Homeless support groups believe it is used by local authorities as a method of shifting responsibility on to neighbouring boroughs.
The study, titled The Impact of Enforcement on Street Users in England, singles Westminster out for criticism, quoting one frontline worker who slams the practice as “inhumane” – labelling it an “appalling way to treat people”.
The worker said: “These are some of the most vulnerable people in society. It’s the norm for them. But I personally think it’s a pretty appalling way to treat people.”
The council has defended the use of water jets as a legitimate means of clearing drug paraphernelia and urine. Encouraging homeless people into shelters was also cited as another justification for the policy.
Dr Sarah Johnsen, the joint author of the research which was published by the influential social policy charity the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said: “On its own, if it’s not accompanied by the right support, all it does is disperse and displace the problem. When we did the research there was little evidence of any targeted support in Westminster. It is fair to say it is a widely held view that it is inhumane and certainly I would be appalled if people were actually being sprayed.”
Richard Burdett, editor of Pavement, the homeless people’s magazine, said: “I see it as coercion and the bottom line is it doesn’t work. Hot washing is an unpleasant phrase and an unpleasant practice. The study shows that.
“We had more than one person come to us and say they have been sprayed while they sleep. All it is a way council’s can play homeless ping pong so they don’t have to carry the housing burden. The research shows that these strong-arm tactics don’t do any good.”
Westminster City Council’s cabinet member for housing Councillor Philippa Roe said: “This report is wrong when it states that Westminster has adopted hot washing as a strategy to make certain areas inhospitable for people sleeping rough. This procedure is part of the council’s work to keep the city’s streets clean.
“We carry out this necessary work sensitively and with the co-operation of rough sleepers.
“The claims cited in the report about hot washing are unfounded. This work is progressive and in the best interests of both those who are temporarily homeless and the local community.
“We carry out a tremendous amount of positive work with a number of highly respected charitable organisations.
“Residents rightly expect the streets to be cleaned and any debris which could pose either a security or health risk to be removed, and the areas where a group of rough sleepers has congregated, with no access to toilets or showers, are very unpleasant.
“We have strict procedures and before any hot washing takes place, the police and members of the rough sleeping team, who will engage with rough sleepers to offer them assistance to get off the streets, are present. All rough sleepers are informed and asked to remove any possessions.” |
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