Local people are being urged to help make the council aware of anyone who is sleeping rough, so that they can be offered the necessary help and support.

There is support available to help rough sleepers, so if people are concerned about a certain individual, they can report it to www.streetlink.org.uk who will send out a support officer to speak to them. 

The council also has measures in place to support rough sleepers that wish to take up emergency accommodation throughout Winter. Once put up, they will be able stay there for the whole of winter. 

Mark Fowler, Barking and Dagenham Council’s Director for Community Solutions said: “It is getting cold out there and we would rather no one is sleeping rough in these conditions.

“We are determined to reduce the number of people sleeping rough in the borough and we need your help to make sure they get all the support needed. 

The council also works with The Source, a charity that not only supports the homeless but also people that are generally in need of support. The Source is based in Vicarage Field, Barking and provides a lunchtime buffet style meal on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11.30am to 1.30pm to anyone who is in need. As well as providing food, The Source can also refer people to the Night Shelter and give out food bank vouchers as well as helping with benefits and providing a postal address plus much more. 

For more information visit our rough sleepers and street homelessness webpage and The Source website.