§ Lord Pattenasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Williams of Mostyn on 27 July (WA 152), whether they will give in full "several reasons" that they believe make "the areas around Victoria Street and Westminster Cathedral … popular with rough sleepers, unlike the areas around Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey". [HL3148]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police tells me that rough sleepers favour the areas around Westminster Cathedral and Victoria Street for the following reasons:
Rough sleepers do not favour the areas around Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace for the following reasons:
- Rough sleepers tend to congregate and frequent "traditional" rough sleeping areas, which include Westminster Cathedral and Victoria Street;
- Traditional areas are served by outreach workers from the various charities and voluntary organisations who provide advice and practical assistance, such as clothing, bedding, medical aid and nightly food runs;
- The areas around Westminster Cathedral and Victoria Street have a wide variety of shops and food outlets, some of which have extended opening hours;
- Victoria Street has many shops and doorways with covered entrances. These are a good source of warmth and shelter for those sleeping rough; and
- Rough sleepers feel that it is a safe and relatively crime-free area.
- These areas are not "traditional" areas for rough sleepers and so do not offer the same level of support from outreach workers; and
- Both areas are isolated and lonely at night.