The number of people sleeping rough in England has increased by 16% in the past year and more than doubled since 2010, new figures reveal today.
Statistics released by the Department for Communities and Local Government show local authorities counted and estimated 4,134 rough sleepers on a single night in 2016, up from 3,569 in 2015.
The City of Westminster had the highest number of rough sleepers at 260 per night, followed by Brighton and Hove City Council with 144 people.
Jon Sparkes, chief executive of Crisis, said the number of people sleeping on England’s street has risen at an ‘appalling rate’.
He said: ‘Rough sleeping ruins lives, leaving people vulnerable to violence and abuse, and taking a dreadful toll on their mental and physical health. Our recent research has shown how rough sleepers are 17 times more likely to be victims of violence. This is no way for anyone to live.
‘There is no time to waste. We need the Government to take action on this issue, and we stand ready to work with officials to plan and deliver an ambitious new approach.’
The figures shows that 12% of rough sleepers were women, with 7% being aged under 25.
