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A homeless charity has berated Hull's rough sleepers and any do-gooders who give food and money to the homeless - because it's making the situation "worse than ever".

Sandy Smith, of Hull Homeless and Rootless Project (Hull Harp), says donations are encouraging people to sleep rough following shocking pictures of the state of the BHS entrance in Hull city centre.

She says the situation is now so dire sleeping rough has become the "lucrative" option - with many choosing to do it despite spare beds available in hostels.

Ms Smith, chair of trustees at the charity, which has worked with Hull's homeless community since 1982, said the homeless problem in the city is "worse than ever" and fuelled by the public who "allow it to happen".

(Image: Katie Pugh)

She described sleeping rough in Hull as a "better option" than taking a bed in a homeless shelter - where they can get help to change their lives.

"It is a disgrace, that in this day and age, people are giving money, food, clothing and bedding, to allow this state of affairs to continue," she said.

"There were empty beds in hostels last night, because the people choosing to live like this are making small fortunes from passers by, groups providing just about whatever they could want, and people who mean well but have no clue."

(Image: Katie Pugh)

Such is her frustration with the situation, Ms Smith took to the charity's Facebook page, where she told people to "think" about the fact rough sleepers do have the option of getting a bed in a hostel.

She posted photos of the main BHS entrance canopy overlooking the new-look King Edward Square, which currently provides shelter for groups of homeless people who have turned the site into a makeshift camp.

Speaking to the Mail, she described it as an "eyesore" and said: "No one will come out and say it, and it's about time someone did, so I am saying it. I've had enough.

"When you challenge any of it you’re accused of being not compassionate, but I don't agree.

"It's right before all our eyes for us all to see, but people are donating and all they're doing is encouraging them to stay where they are, to sustain their habits.

"People don’t seem to think anything through. Some of the hostel residents are leaving hostels to go onto streets because its so lucrative.

"The mess under the BHS canopy is the most disgusting eyesore - yet the public are allowing it to happen. It's crazy.

"People think these poor people have nowhere to go but they do. The council actually have an obligation under the cold weather to get them a B&B if there are no hostel beds, so they would always have somewhere to go but they don't want it when they're being 'looked after.'

"I'm not asking people to stop giving all together - but give in an appropriate way, not to people who can sell it, and then get a load of spice with the profit.

"People need to donate to a registered charity that is accountable."

Ms Smith said it is important to get rough sleepers into hostels so they can be helped to get off the streets for good.

She said: "When you go into a hostel you’re assigned a key worker and ensure that you can manage in the future.

(Image: Katie Pugh)

"If the homeless don’t engage they don’t make changes. If they don't make changes then nothing changes and they stay on the streets.

"People don't need to give them food. There are at least four meal services every day in hull for homeless people, there is food everywhere.

"They don't need to give them money, they themselves acknowledge that there is a lot of money to be made selling items that have been donated, using their own benefits to buy drugs."

The charity also criticised Hull City Council - asking why action hadn't been taken at the BHS canopy in the same way it was at Tent city in Queen's Gardens.

A spokesperson for the council said: "Even though we are in the process of acquiring the area, only the current landowners owner can take out civil action to reclaim the land.

"Tent City was in Queens Gardens, land owned by the council, therefore we were able to take out an injunction and get a repossession order."

How can I help homeless people?

Hull Harp have urged the public to donate to registered homeless charities instead of donating directly to rough sleepers.

Ms Smith said: "I'm not asking people to stop giving all together. People just need to donate to a registered charity that is accountable.

"People should not donate to groups of people online who gather to create these Just Giving pages because you don't know where your money is going."