TENTS have sprung up by the historic city walls, near the city centre - but 'compassionate' support is being offered to rough sleepers say experts.
Two tents have been set up on a grass area on City Walls Road, Worcester near the footpath while a large sheet is draped over a shopping trolley.
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The Worcester News understands that at least one of the people living in the tents is the same man who was previously camped in Pump Street and Friar Street.
The tents are understood to have been in the location for around a month. Efforts were made by the Worcester News to speak to the person, or people, living there. This was to see if they had been offered help and support.
In response, a man unzipped the tent yesterday and said 'I don't want to know', before zipping the tent back up again.
However, a charity's chief executive said he has been offered help and support is available for homeless people in Worcester.
St Paul's Hostel in Tallow Hill has accommodation for 46 single homeless men and women with two additional flats on-site.
The Maggs Day Centre in Deansway is open five days a week, providing a safe, dry environment where homeless and particularly vulnerable people can get individually tailored support, offering rough sleepers breakfast, showers and laundry.
Meanwhile, Worcester Cares reflects an increasingly joined-up approach from various bodies committed to improving welfare and support for homeless people and rough sleepers.
Jonathan Sutton, chief executive of St Paul's Hostel, said: "There are a number of good homeless services in the city that are available right now to help this person move from a tent into accommodation.
"I know our colleagues at Maggs, who are leading a collective effort have been persevering for months, but we know from experience that the building of trust with a person, so they take this first step, can take many months.
"Perhaps contrary to the perception, there has been significant re-investment into homeless services by Worcestershire County Council, Worcester City and central government because we all want to end rough sleeping for good.
"As the autumn draws in and with winter just around the corner we hope they accept the offer of help. By not doing so, increases the risk they will come to harm so if members of the public can encourage the person to take the help that might make the difference."
Inspector Fergus Green of West Mercia Police said: "The local police team will continue to work with our partners as part of Worcester Cares so that people who sadly find themselves homeless can be connected to the right support organisation.
"Worcester Cares is an informal alliance of homeless charities, police and other street-based organisations."
A message on Worcester Cares reads: "If you visit, live or work in Worcester City, you will sometimes see people on the street. Some sleeping rough, in shop doorways or along the river, some are drinking excessively in the city centre, and others are begging – occasionally aggressively. Each needs help, whether they belong to only one or all three of these groups.
"Our city does not want to demonise people on the street for the situation the find themselves in. Now charities and services from across the city have come together to help people you see on the street.
"We know many who live and work in Worcester City, as well as many tourists and visitors, are compassionate people who want to help but are not sure how to. Worcester Cares is a united umbrella approach, which helps all the charities, and support services coordinate their work."
A spokesperson for Worcester City Council said: “We are aware of this situation and whilst we cannot comment on individual cases, we work closely with a range of partners to provide advice, support and engagement with people who are rough sleeping. This includes giving a range of options to support them into accommodation, although the offers of support are not always accepted.
“Members of the public can report anyone they believe to be sleeping rough, to www.streetlink.org.uk “
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