ROUGH sleepers have set up camp in four of Swindon's biggest multi-storey car parks, with evidence that Class A drugs are being used there.

Visitors to the Parade, Brunel West, Fleming Way and Whalebridge car parks now routinely walk past camp beds, mattresses, discarded bottles, rubbish and drug paraphernalia as they go to work or to visit the shops.

Tin foil and used needles, common signs of Class A drug use, were found in three separate locations in the Fleming Way car park.

Multi storeys have always been a popular place of refuge for those living on the streets, but it has become noticeable in recent weeks that their encampments have taken on a degree of permanence not previously seen.

The mattresses and camp beds on the lift landings and general floors of the Brunel West and Parade car parks are now ever-present, with no obvious attempts being made to remove them.

One shopper, who did not wish to be named, said of the situation: "It's getting worse, first they sit between the ticket machines downstairs where you pay and now they're sleeping upstairs.

"Why should we pay to walk past this?"

Of the five main car parks in the town centre run by the council, only Brunel North was found to be free from any evidence of rough sleepers moving in.

Swindon Borough Council spokesman Kevin Burchall said: “We have been working closely with Wiltshire Police, Threshold Housing Link who run our Outreach Service, as well as substance misuse services to tackle the issue of rough sleeping in recent months and ensured a number of individuals accessed the help available to them.

“However, despite this positive work, we are aware of a growing number of people sleeping rough in some town centre car parks, who our Homelessness Service have not previously been aware of.

“This is a national trend, particularly as the weather improves in the spring and summer months.

“Many of these individuals choose to sleep rough and often refuse the help that is offered to them.

“We will continue to advise those concerned of the housing options and support services that are available to them.

“We also ensure spaces are available in the town’s homeless hostels for those who need emergency accommodation.

“The council funds a range of activity to support the homeless including the hostels at Booth House and Culvery Court, the Outreach Service, and the Day Centre where individuals can receive a number of services to get them back into work, resolve health issues and find a home.”

Nikka Pomponi, events and fundraising co-ordinator for homeless charity Threshold Housing Link, said: “Our hostel is nearly always full which is probably why some of these people can’t get a space.

“There are some other independent groups offering help and our outreach teams are fantastic but outside of this there isn’t really a great support network.”

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What is available to town's rough sleepers?

THE services available to rough sleepers in Swindon vary from short-term emergency accommodation, to medium to long term housing as well as additional food and medical support.

Emergency accommodation:

Threshold Housing Link

20 room emergency accommodation run at Culvery Court in the town centre for single homeless men aged 16 and over.

Salvation Army

Their Booth House centre on Spring Close is a 45 bed mixed gender resettlement centre with five emergency beds, it is open 24 hours a day. Caters for those over 18.

Swindon Night Shelter

Mixed-gender emergency accommodation at St Mary’s Church in Rodbourne currently open on Friday nights only for those aged over 18.

Swindon Foyer

A facility in Old Town designed to accommodate up to 57 single homeless 16-25 year olds.

Gloucester House Drug and Alcohol Addictions Rehabilitation Centre

A male-only facility in Highworth accommodating those battling addiction who are committed to engaging with rehabilitation.

Other accommodation options exist in Swindon, including some catering specifically to women or those with mental health issues – many of these require a referral from partner agencies or the council homelessness team.

Other services:

Swindon Treatment and Recovery Service (STARS)

Walk-in centre on Sanford Street in the town centre providing services for addicts including testing, mentoring, advice and a needle exchange.

U-Turn

Substance misuse treatment centre in Stratton for those under 18. Provides specialist help and rapid access to treatment and alternative substance provision.

SOLAR

Drop-in centre for alcohol treatment and support on Milton Road.

A number of organisations provide food for homeless people in Swindon including the Broadgreen Breakfast Club, the Day Centre at St Luke’s Church on Broad Street, Mind at Regent Circus, the Roundabout Café, the Filling Station and once a week at St John’s Church on Whitbourne Avenue.