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<p>The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government does not issue guidance
on the removal of tents containing homeless people. Each local authority, together
with the police, will make their own plans and decisions about how to best support
rough sleepers and ensure their safety in their own area, based on local circumstances.
This can include the removal of encampments, alongside support. Encampments can present
serious safety risks for the people living in encampments and it is right that local
authorities, who know their area best, have the powers they need to respond. A summary
of the powers that public bodies have to help them deal with illegal and unauthorised
sites, published in 2015, is available at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dealing-with-illegal-and-unauthorised-encampments"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dealing-with-illegal-and-unauthorised-encampments</a></p><p>Where
local areas are taking action to remove encampments, we are clear that this needs
to go hand-in-hand with considering how to support the people residing in them away
from rough sleeping. Safeguards are in place to ensure powers are used appropriately.
For example, for Public Space Protection Orders councils must consult with the police
and relevant community representatives before making the order, and before the order
is made councils must also publish the draft order. The Government guidance on Anti-Social
Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act is available at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/anti-social-behaviour-crime-and-policing-bill-anti-social-behaviour"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/anti-social-behaviour-crime-and-policing-bill-anti-social-behaviour</a></p><p>This
Government is committed to reducing homelessness and rough sleeping. No one should
ever have to sleep rough. That is why last summer we published the cross-government
Rough Sleeping Strategy which sets out an ambitious £100 million package to help people
who sleep rough now, but also puts in place the structures that will end rough sleeping
once and for all. The Government has now committed over £1.2 billion to tackle homelessness
and rough sleeping over the spending review period. This year, Rough Sleeping Initiative
investment totals £46 million and has been allocated to 246 areas – providing funding
for an estimated 750 additional staff and over 2,600 bed spaces.</p>
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