A group of rough sleepers in Harrogate‘s Crescent Gardens has been evicted this morning after occupying the pavilion for two weeks.
Representatives from North Yorkshire Council‘s property services division and North Yorkshire Police began the move-on operation just before 9am this morning.
The council also brought a van to gather the rough sleepers’ belongings.
One nearby resident, who asked not to be named, said some people started arguing with the council after they were told to disperse but there was no violence.
He added:
“One or two sleepers appeared frustrated and declined to cooperate, but they eventually started packing and leaving from 9.15am.
“The police were present to ensure the operation was non-violent.”
The operation ended at approximately 9.40am.
Larger items, such as mattresses, were removed by the council.
The Stray Ferret first reported the encampment after nearby residents raised concerns about anti-social behaviour last week.
One of those residents, Eileen Dockray, said after today’s developments:
“I’m now concerned that the police and the council, who both tried to pass this problem back and forth between each other, should now come together and work out who’s responsible for dealing with this sort of problem in the future.
“We, the public, also need to know who we can go to for help when a situation like this arises again, as it surely will.”
Read more:
- No resolution in sight for rough sleeping den in Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens
- Reader’s Letter: Who does have the power to tackle rough sleeping camp near Crescent Gardens?
