Awakening people who sleep rough

Hidden from the view of passing motorists and office-workers, the man had made his makeshift home above a derelict takeaway on West Bar.

Homeless people sleeping rough in Sheffield were the target of a multi-agency operation tackling low-level crime and anti-social behaviour in the city centre.

A team including a police officer, a police community support officer, a city centre ambassador, and a worker from the Turning Point drugs project, carried out Operation Gape.

PCSO Steve Hart said the initiative was less of a crackdown and more focused on 'cataloguing' issues and helping people affected.

He said: "It's a partnership effort - the city centre ambassador often knows where the people can be found, and the representative from Turning Point can give them information about where to get help.

"It's also about reassuring the public that these people are not being left to their own devices. There is a significant amount of low-level crime which may or may not be attributed to rough sleepers: offences such as shoplifting, or criminal damage associated with those who drink or take drugs.

"It's mainly quality of life issues. People don't want to see that kind of thing while they are on their way to work."

Hotspots for sleeping rough include shop doorways in warmer months, and derelict buildings when it is colder. The doorway of Sheffield Cathedral was a common choice.

The operation had been a success, with a number of people spoken to and checked with the police. No arrests were made.

"We came across some people we have not seen before.

"People sometimes drift into Sheffield and don't really know where they are. If we can get in there first and direct them to places and people who can help, such as hostels and Turning Point, we can stop them getting in with the wrong crowd."