The Simon Community's latest street count shows a general reduction in rough sleeping. However, the count, which gauges the number of rough sleepers before the winter shelters open, did not count seven areas it usually covers because of a lack of volunteers. The figures, compared with the same time last year (numbers in brackets) were: Westminster: 85 (216); City of London: 10 (38); Tower Hamlets: four (nine); Lambeth: 15 (13); Kensington and Chelsea: 12 (five); Camden: four (22); Southwark: One (14); Islington: 10 (10). A total of 141 rough sleepers were counted. Although seven areas were missed, no reason has been suggested for the lower numbers.