News

Bristol Council proposals aimed at taking a tougher line on rough sleeping who are not from the city have been criticised by homeless charity Shelter.

"We need to take a more robust approach to people presenting as homeless from areas outside Bristol,'' says a report by Bristol Council, which adds, "Local resources need to be used to meet local needs.''

The report states that the council "will seek to promote initiatives which assist people in returning to their place of origin where this is appropriate".

But Shelter said many people were unable to return to the area they came from. A spokesperson said: "They may be fleeing violence or abuse."

But a spokesperson for Bristol council said: "There is no intention to adopt a closed-door policy for the city, but we should try to give priority to people with a local connection."