A ROUGH sleepers village has been cleared with a leading councillor saying the council's motivation will have been "in part" due to the Victorian Fayre.
Two tents were set up on a grass area on City Walls Road, Worcester, earlier this year.
The location is near to a coach drop-off used by visitors to the popular festive four-day event, which starts Thursday, that features stalls, entertainment and street food.
There was one permanent rough sleeper who the Worcester News understands camped in Pump Street and Friar Street before setting up at the location. A Worcester City Council spokesperson said the rough sleeper now has accommodation.
Lynn Denham, Worcestershire county councillor for Cathedral, said: "Someone has been able to move into better, more permanent accommodation before it gets even colder - it is good news.
"There has been one rough sleeper living there and homeless people coming into the city would share the tents.
"It is in part (due to the Victorian Fayre) - it is not a good look for visitors first arriving in the area.
"The village has been causing concern for a variety of reasons. I received complaints from residents, and was in contact with the city council rough sleepers' team."
A Worcester City Council spokesman said: "The rough sleeper who was staying at City Walls Road moved from that location several weeks ago and has now accepted an accommodation offer in the city.
"As a result, the tents were cleared away in the middle of November and are currently being kept in storage by the council.”
Jonathan Sutton, chief executive of St Paul's Hostel, said it was important people who come to the city were impressed, but it was "equally important" the rough sleeper was off the streets as soon as possible.
"It is good news all round," Mr Sutton said.
"It shows the system is working, St Paul's Hostel has been working with people for over 45 years. It shows services can build relationships and trust with homeless people."
Efforts were previously 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 and said 'I don't want to know', before zipping the tent back up again.
A message on Worcester Cares, an informal alliance of homeless charities, police and other street-based organisations, reads: "If you visit, live or work in Worcester City, you will sometimes see people on the street.
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"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."
“Members of the public can report anyone they believe to be sleeping rough, to www.streetlink.org.uk."
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