Shropshire Star comment: How to help the homeless in Shrewsbury?
Shropshire Council had little choice but to introduce an anti-social behaviour order to tackle anti-social behaviour from homeless people in Shrewsbury.
Binmen were recently forced to retreat from their duties in Pride Hill after being threatened by vagrants who were rough sleeping. It is unacceptable.
Shrewsbury is an outward-looking town that has a good image on the national scene.
Many tourists flock to the former home of scientist Charles Darwin while also enjoying such long-established events as Shrewsbury Flower Festival.
No residents or visitors can have failed to have seen the increase in homelessness in recent times as rough sleepers have set up camp in the town centre.
The town does not want to create controversy, as others have done, by coming down too hard on those who find themselves homeless through no fault of their own.
We live in a time of austerity and there are genuine cases of homelessness caused by family breakdown, financial difficulty, mental health issues and more.
The town’s Ark does a remarkable job in providing assistance to those who need it most and Shrewsbury also has a high level of community involvement from generous souls who give of their time to help others.
The problems of homelessness are often strategic and stem from a lack of affordable options and crisis options for those in emergency need.
And both local councils and national Government must do more to reduce episodes of homelessness.
It is quite wrong that we live in one of the richest countries on earth and yet there are some who do not have a roof over their heads.
However, such compassion must be weighed against the need to protect citizens and businesses from the abusive, violent and drunken behaviour from some rough sleepers.
It must also be weighed against the difficulties that are caused to the town’s residents, businesses and reputation.
There are undoubtedly a small number of people for whom homelessness is a choice and for whom begging is a profitable pursuit.
Though some might find that an unpalatable truth, the authorities have a responsibility not to ignore it.
So while they strive on the one hand to provide a bed for the night, they must also ensure those engaged in criminal or nefarious activities do not impede the rights of the law-abiding majority.
There is a balance to be struck and Shropshire Council is quite right to be taking decisive action.
