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Cornwall has more rough sleepers than any other county in the UK – although the number of rough sleepers is falling.

Across our county, 53 people were found to be sleeping rough in autumn 2018, down by 22% from 68 in 2017.

The number is down from a peak of 99 rough sleepers counted in 2016, but higher than a low of 40 recorded in 2014.

The drop in rough sleeping seen in Cornwall reflects a national trend, which has seen the number recorded go down for the first time since 2010.

Across the UK, only London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol and Brighton had higher numbers of rough sleepers than Cornwall.

(Image: File image)

In the summer months that number is even higher, as rough sleepers head to the coast in huge numbers to escape the large cities.

Of the 53 rough sleepers counted across Cornwall in autumn 2018, five (9%) were under 25 years of age, slightly higher than the national average.

Across England 4,677 people were found to be sleeping rough in autumn 2018, down by less than 2% from 2017’s record high.

However, that is still nearly three times as many rough sleepers as the number counted nationally in autumn 2010, and the second-highest figure on record.

The numbers, published by the Department for Communities and Local Government, are likely to be an underestimate of the true scale of rough sleeping, as it is difficult to account for everyone who is sleeping rough based on a single night’s count or an estimate of those known to local services.

Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, blamed the rise of homelessness since 2010 on a combination of spiralling rents, a faulty benefits system and lack of social housing means.

Cities and counties with most rough sleepers 1. Westminster (London) - 306 2. Camden (London) - 141 3. Manchester - 123 4. Birmingham - 91 5. Bristol - 82 6. Newham (London) - 79 7. Enfield (London) - 78 8. Hillingdon (London) - 70 9. City of London - 67 10. Brighton - 64 11. CORNWALL - 53 12. Bedford - 51 13. Lambeth (London) - 50 14. Hastings - 48 15. Luton - 47

Chief executive of homeless charity Crisis, Jon Sparkes said “no one should have to live like this”.

He said: “It’s a damning reflection of our society that night after night, so many people are forced to sleep rough on our streets, especially when we know that with the right commitment, rough sleeping could be ended for good.

“Living on the streets is one of the most dangerous experiences anyone could face.

“Not only will rough sleepers experience extreme isolation and often severe weather conditions, but we know they have a high risk of dying young and our own research shows they are 17 times more likely to experience abuse than the general public.”

Last year, it was announced that Cornwall will receive over £625,000 to tackle its homelessness problem over the next two years , more than any area outside the south east of England.

The 83 councils in England with the highest numbers of rough sleepers have been awarded £34 million by the Government for the financial year 2019/20.

(Image: Tom Last)

The cash is an extension of the £30m provided to councils in June through the Government's Rough Sleeping Initiative Fund.

Only councils in Brighton and Hove, Greater London, Hastings and Eastbourne, Newham and Westminster will receive more than Cornwall Council for 2019/2020.

Steve Ellis, the boss of Truro-based homeless charity St Petroc’s Society, said that while he welcomes any investment to Cornwall, he is aware half of the £100m total has been reprioritised from existing budgets.