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15

Sept 2023

Last Updated: 15/09/2023
Community
Community

Crescent Gardens rough sleepers offered accommodation 'daily', council says

by Flora Grafton

| 15 Sept, 2023
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North Yorkshire Council has said it has provided a group of rough sleepers in Harrogate's Crescent Gardens with daily offers of accommodation.

The group, which it is claimed contains up to 10 people at various times, took over the pavilion near the public toilets a week ago.

The Stray Ferret reported yesterday anti-social behaviour concerns among nearby residents.

One resident, Eileen Dockray, said she had reported the group to both the council and North Yorkshire Police on Tuesday but was passed between the two.

Andrew Rowe, the council’s assistant director for housing, yesterday said:

"We are aware of a group of people sleeping rough in this area and have been engaging with them daily with offers of accommodation made to them all.
"In the evening there is a larger congregation but those visiting the site are not homeless.
"A multi-agency meeting takes place weekly and this site is on the agenda for actions by everyone involved. Reports from the public of anti-social behaviour have been minimal, but it is important that we are notified to enable the police to pursue any appropriate actions needed."


The pavilion has been used by rough sleepers for a week.



Mr Rowe added:

"The council is committed to its work with rough sleepers in the county and will continue to engage with this group, in an attempt to secure a suitable housing outcome.
"The area is monitored by our community safety team and any issues of an anti-social nature should be referred to the police."


One resident from the nearby Grosvenor Buildings, who asked not to be named, said this morning the group were "talking, yelling and laughing" between 3am and 4am this morning.

The resident added:

"It has been like this for a few days. They are occupying a central public space, depriving residents of its use and causing day-to-day nuisances to the neighbourhood.
"I called the police and was told it is a council issue.
"A few residents in my building are also frustrated by the lack of action from any authority to remove the encampment.
"This Crescent Gardens pavilion attracted a few entrenched homeless people before and now even a large group — over 10 during certain times — so should be identified as a 'vulnerable site'."