Tragic homeless crisis gripping UK city as hard-up rough sleepers fend off Spice addicts & fake beggars in £120 trainers

The Sun

11 hours ago

HUDDLED outside a luxury department store, a homeless man puffs on a suspicious-looking cigarette while young families hurry past.
It's an increasingly common sight on the streets of the northern city - the epicentre of a 53 per cent rise in homelessness in the North East over the past year.
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Concerned locals claim the heart of Newcastle -upon-Tyne, once a bustling shopping hotspot, has been 'taken over' by beggars high on Spice.
Rough sleepers now camp outside department store Fenwick, famed for its luxurious designer brands, while vagrants on pavements sell friendship bracelets or sit before signs, one of which reads: "I am very hungry. God bless you."
While many homeless people have fallen on genuine hard times, locals claim a growing number are fraudsters, or so-called 'professional beggars', who have homes to go to at the end of the day.
Others are said to be more aggressive, attacking members of the public while high on drugs.
This week the Government announced it is scrapping the 200-year-old Vagrancy Act by spring next year, meaning rough sleeping will no longer be a crime - a decision welcomed by homeless charities across the UK.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner called the act "cruel and outdated" and insisted Labour will instead target organised begging by gangs.
On a busy midweek morning, among shoppers and workers grabbing a coffee, we count up to 10 homeless people on the main high street in Newcastle, a stretch less than a quarter of a mile.
In an underground car park right in the city centre, a stone's throw from Marks & Spencer, Five Guys, TK Maxx and Flannels, we find a discarded heroin spoon next to a drain.
It sits beside a water bottle, and contains residue which appears to be the class A drug.
Nicole Harry, 40, a retail worker from Gateshead tells us: "I wouldn't bring my children into Newcastle after dark because of the homeless issue.
Mayor calls for 'purge' of homeless people via sick method then doubles down on shock statement despite backlash
"I often offer to buy beggars food from Greggs but if they refuse I don't give them money, as you don't know who is genuine.
"I've seen one person get off the bus in £120 Nike trainers, put dirty trousers on over their jeans and set up shop begging on the street.
"It's a tough issue because you want to help those who need it, but you know some are on drugs or are just after cash.
"You can understand why they're on drugs, I think a lot of people would in their situation. Sometimes you can tell they have taken something.
"My son will often chat to them and give them his lunch and many keep to themselves."
Violence
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Caroline, who didn't want to give her surname, has lived on the streets for four months after escaping an abusive relationship.
The 40-year-old says narcotics are rife amongst the homeless community with many turning to zombie drug spice and heroin for comfort.
"Spice, heroin and alcohol are the main offenders," she explains, while curled up in her sleeping bag.
"It's getting really bad, a lot of people take them and now everyone thinks all homeless people are on drugs, so no one wants to help us.
"They become extremely violent because they're on drugs. I've seen one of them run up to a stranger and punch them in the face.
I've seen one person get off the bus in £120 Nike trainers, put dirty trousers on over their jeans and set up shop begging on the street
Nicole Harry, retail worker
"It's a volatile environment. They always come up to me and ask if I have drugs. Any money they get, they waste getting high.
"I have seen people sitting with a crack pipe, they don't care.
"I don't feel safe as a woman on the streets. I have taken so much abuse off strangers, I have been spat on, and people have hurled abuse at me.
"I'm homeless because I left an abusive relationships and I can't get a home. I don't take drugs, I'm just trying to get some help."
According to charity Shelter, the North East had the largest annual increase in homelessness in the country in 2024.
The number rocketed from 1,500 to 2,300 in the space of just one year.
Within the region, the city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne contains the highest number of homeless people - an estimated 335 - followed by Sunderland (309) and Durham (306).
Drug poisoning
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The North East has also experienced its largest number of drug-poisoning deaths for 11 years.
In 2024, 174 died per million, compared to an average of 91 in England.
Juliet Saunders, CEO of Feeding Families, a food bank in the region, says a "perfect storm" of conditions have led to the sharp rise in homelessness.
She tells us: "We had to put a special provision in place for rough sleepers last year as it was clear there had been a huge increase.
We had to put a special provision in place for rough sleepers last year as it was clear there had been a huge increase
Juliet Saunders, CEO of Feeding Families
"We started getting other charities contacting us because the normal food boxes we provide were no good to people who haven't got a home.
"People were taking the boxes and throwing away the pasta and sauce because it was no use to them.
"The homeless obviously have no access to cooking facilities, so they'd discard anything that needed a microwave or oven.
"We decided to distribute a rough sleeper's pack containing foods that do not need to be cooked.
"We gave out 2,000 of these last year. They are essentially survival packs. What people need to survive in extreme circumstances are carbs and sugar.
"The packs contain crisps, chocolate, cereal bars, nuts, pepperoni, noodles and mints. Often the homeless have access to hot water, but nothing more."
Juliet adds: "A perfect storm has created the huge rise in homelessness. I am not surprised there was a 53 per cent rise last year.
"There is a shortage of housing in this region. If you aren't in the council housing system and you have to go to a private landlord, there can be competition. You are unlikely to be chosen over someone who has a job.
"I also think more relationships are breaking down. When I was at school, it was quite rare for someone to get divorced, but now that's very commonplace.
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"When a couple separate, another home needs to be found for one partner, and sometimes that partner can end up sleeping rough.
"Mental health is a big issue for all sorts of reasons, which also contributes.
"There's not enough support available and it's a vicious circle.
"Once you're homeless, it's very difficult to find a job and get out of that situation."
Back in Newcastle another local, who didn't want to be named, says there are begging 'turf wars' plaguing the streets.
"It's a massive issue, there are loads where I live in the city centre and they leave needles on the floor after shooting up," they tell us.
"They all congregate at certain times when they have been moved on from somewhere else.
"There are one or two genuine homeless people but the rest are drug addicts who have taken over.
"There are begging turf wars, I see them take shifts. They can be intimidating, I used to smoke and they will come up and ask for a drag of your cigarette.
There are begging turf wars, I see them take shifts. They can be intimidating, I used to smoke and they will come up and ask for a drag of your cigarette
Local resident
"I have lived here for 40 years and it never goes away."
Brian Naylor, 70, a retired construction worker from Newcastle says some beggars can be intimidating.
"There are more beggars in the city centre but they're not necessarily homeless. They just want money," he says.
"They get right in your face asking for money, it can be intimidating for people.
"There are some beggars who are really hostile. It's hard to know who is genuine."
Tom Wilkinson, 18, a sports student at Northumbria University adds: "People can be intimidated by them begging, it just depends on if they are intoxicated.
"I've seen homeless people on the high street but it's a problem across the country. It's really sad.
"It doesn't bother me but there should be more help for the homeless in Newcastle."
Dott, 61, a support worker who didn't want to give her surname, says she too has noticed a recent increase in the number of rough sleepers in the city.
"There are a lot of homeless on the high street. They often hang around outside of Greggs and it can put people off going in those shops," she says.
"You can tell that some of them are on drugs. It must be really hard for those who have hit hard times and are genuinely on the streets."
Property crisis
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Christopher Clark, 54, a fundraiser from Newcastle says a lack of available housing is a significant factor contributing to the growing number of homeless.
"I spotted some homeless people on the high street today and did think to myself there had been an increase," he admits.
"I can understand why they turn to drugs, a lot of them are in pain and have experienced trauma.
"We simply don't have enough housing in this country, it is an issue with more people coming into the country and mass immigration.
"We don't have enough homes for the country and now we are housing other people.
Homelessness help
HERE is some useful information if you are homeless or know someone who is experiencing homelessness.
FIRST CONTACT
If you or someone you know is sleeping rough you can use the alert Streelink service to help connect them with outreach services: www.thestreetlink.org.uk/start
FOOD
You can find free food stations via:
The Pavement - for food and soup runs: www.thepavement.org.uk/services
Homeless Link - for day centres: www.homeless.org.uk
The Trussell Trust - for food banks: www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/
Food Cycle - for food services - www.foodcycle.org.uk/free-food-locations/
HOUSING
Councils have a duty to help people who are homeless or facing homelessness. Contact the Housing Options team from the council you have a local connection to and see if they can offer:
Emergency accommodation - a place in a shelter or a hostel
Longer-term accommodation including independent or social housing
Visit: www.gov.uk/find-local-council
During times of severe cold or heat, local councils have special accommodation known as Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP). Find out more here: www.gov.uk/find-local-council.
For advice, support or legal services related to housing visit www.shelter.co.uk or call 0808 800 4444.
You can also contact Crisis: www.crisis.org.uk/get-help/
For housing advice, call Shelter on 0808 800 4444 or visit: www.shelter.org.uk.
DAY CENTRES
Day centres can help by providing internet access, free or cheap food, shower and laundry facilities, safe storage for belongings, phone charging and clothes, toiletries or sleeping bags.
They can also help with services for benefits or immigration advice; health support; finding work; educational or social activities; hostel, night shelter or outreach referrals.
Centres can be found through Homeless Link: www.homeless.org.uk/
BENEFITS
Normally you can claim Universal Credit if you are sleeping on the streets or staying in a hostel. If you are in a hostel, you can claim Housing Benefit to help with rent. You do not need a fixed address or a bank account.
USEFUL CONTACTS
Crisis - visit: www.crisis.org.uk or call 0300 636 1967.
Shelter - visit: www.shelter.org.uk or call 0808 800 4444.
Centrepoint (for people aged 16-25) - visit: www.centrepoint.org.uk or call 0808 800 0661.
St Mungo's (Bath, Bournemouth, Brighton, Bristol, Christchurch, Leicester, Oxford, Poole and Reading) - visit: www.mungos.org or call 020 3856 6000.
Depaul UK (for young people) - visit: https://www.depaul.org.uk/ or call 0207 939 1220.
Citizen's Advice (legal advice) - visit: www.citizensadvice.org.uk or call 0345 404 0506.
The Samaritans (health and wellbeing) - www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan or call 116 123.
"There is a property crisis. I spoke to two brothers in Newcastle who were homeless and they said there was a systematic issue because they wanted to be housed together but were separated.
"One of them was put in housing and he turned to drink because he was taken away from his brother.
"We need to have a housing first policy where they are put in homes and then they can work on their addiction."
'City Safe' project
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Inspector Karen Madge of Newcastle city centre's Neighbourhood Policing Team says neighbourhood officers are working tirelessly to ensure Newcastle city centre is a safe place to visit, work and live for everyone.
"The City Safe project, launched last year, brings together Northumbria Police, Newcastle City Council and business improvement district NE1 to work in tandem to prevent crime, reduce anti-social behaviour," she tells us.
"The project will provide increased access to support services for vulnerable people.
"Working collaboratively with partners allows us to share intelligence and really get to the route of any issues. By identifying these issues early on, we can help prevent further incidents from happening.
"Should anyone find themselves homeless or struggling with drug and alcohol misuse, our officers, support workers and those who can assist with housing issues, will work together.
"We're committed to being there when the public need us."
A Newcastle City Council spokesperson says while the city has a strong record of preventing homelessness, the combination of poverty, the rising cost of living, housing scarcity, increasing housing demand and limited supply presents a significant challenge for its housing system.
"Our anti-poverty strategy sets out our commitment to make the prevention of homelessness everybody's responsibility through the identification of the triggers to homelessness including households struggling with income and debt," they tell us.
"We aim to make sure that nobody is evicted into homelessness because they cannot afford to pay their rent.
"Where people are homeless, we commission a range of options for accommodation with additional support to try and ensure that any experience of homelessness is rare, brief and nonrecurring.
"This includes a dedicated multi-disciplinary team to support physical health and substance issues (and access to mental health support) for people who might be homeless or in temporary accommodation.
"This team includes GP support, drug and alcohol workers and mental health social workers.
"We want all of our residents to have a chance to live in a place that meets their needs and we offer a range of outreach support services to assist with this."
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