51 people have been supported into temporary accommodation, taking their tents with them as Manchester Council this morning intervened in the protest that has been taken place in the City Centre for the past month
The protest began as a response to the war in Gaza but has grown in the last few weeks with vulnerable people, both refugees and UK nationals who have been sleeping rough have been caught up in protest
The council added that disappointingly five of those engaged with refused the accommodation on offer and have remained on site. The offer will remain open to those individuals.
“Throughout this period concerns about the safety of the camp and the people living in it, and their potential exploitation, have heightened. There has been evidence of violent incidents, drug dealing and taking and other anti-social behaviour.” the council said in a statement adding that
“Unhygienic conditions which pose a health risk for occupants and the wider public have also been identified -with defecation, urination and littering around the camp area.” and that “People trying to access council services in the town hall and city centre workers have also been impacted.
Despite initial claims by the organisers that tents would be removed as people were accommodated, the number of tents has only grown with the camp acting as a magnet for people from outside the Manchester area.
Deputy Council Leader Cllr Joanna Midgley said: “In Manchester we remain committed to ending homelessness and will continue to fund a wide range of support available for vulnerable and homeless people in the city, and call on national government to do the same.
“Manchester is a welcoming city where we look out for each other, with a proud history of protest but we cannot welcome an environment where vulnerable people are put at risk and others feel intimidated.
“We know that since the protest camp arrived, people who are homeless and vulnerable have been caught up alongside activists. That’s why the Council’s priority throughout has been to offer support and sort out temporary accommodation for anyone in the protest camp who is homeless and willing to accept the help offered. Our outreach teams engage with individuals most days and over 40 people have been supported into accommodation through our normal channels.
“This camp is clearly untenable and not in the best interests of either the vulnerable people in it or the wider community who are impacted by it. That’s why we have done all we can to support all homeless people who have been in the camp and will continue to keep the situation under close review.”
Superintendent Nicola Williams said: “We are thankful the majority of the people were receptive to engaging with us today, and ultimately accepted offers of support and temporary accommodation.
“Officers will continue to patrol around the Town Hall. We are there to help and are committed to supporting the council and partner agencies in engaging with rough sleepers and directing them to appropriate support services, to ensure they get the care they need.”
