Police ‘are working with Halfway rough sleeper’
POLICE have said they are working with a homeless person to ensure their safety and welfare.
Concerns have been raised over the past week of an islander sleeping rough in the bus shelter at the Halfway.
A police spokesman said that they were aware of an individual sleeping in the bus shelter.
Officers had spoken to the person on several occasions, they said.
‘While homelessness is not entirely an issue for the police to deal with generally speaking, we would attend a person suspected of being homeless in the first instance to conduct a welfare check.
‘If that person is causing a public disturbance, officers may then seek to move the person on, or take further action if an offence is being committed, however ultimately welfare and working with other services to see if help or support can be found for that person would be the first priority.’
Last month more than 150 islanders slept outside for a night at the KGV to raise awareness for homelessness in Guernsey, and to raise funds for charity Caritas, which aims to build modular housing for those who find themselves without a home.
‘We’re extremely mindful of maintaining the dignity of people experiencing homelessness, so we don’t however feel it’s appropriate for Caritas to be commenting on individual cases of homelessness,’ said a spokeswoman.
‘Our team are 100% available to offer guidance and support, and we’d encourage anyone who needs support to get in touch via their social media or directly through email.’
