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Scottish Charity Register No. SC043760

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St Marylebone: rough sleepers moved on

May 21 2009
Christian values in practice Christian values in practice
You may think a church would be the last place to turn away those in need, but this is just what has happened at the parish church of St Marylebone The St Marylebone parish church, in conjunction with Westminster Council, has moved on a group of rough sleepers who bedded down in the church's grounds. This action, initiated in response to complaints about a minority of drinkers, has denied a long-standing shelter for the area's street population. Thames Reach Bondway (TRB) and West London Day Centre outreach services have both managed to offer appropriate accommodation to the Marylebone residents who wanted it. Because of the outreachs' hard work, the move has had a positive outcome, because all those are now getting care and attention. But the action by the church raises concerns over the wider approach of authorities. More and more, they seem to be targeting areas that rough sleepers seek shelter. How many more places will be locked up, fenced in, or hosed nightly to prevent people getting shelter? Is this about effective care or just the council's efforts to clear their streets? We can only hope outreach services are always on hand to clear up afterwards.
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