Homeless deterrent

There has been justifiable up roar when these pictures were posted on Twitter.

 

The metal spikes you see in the picture have been installed as a deterrent to homeless people sleeping in the alcove outside a block of flats in Southwark, London.

 

They are not new to buildings in the UK and around the world. Designers are incorporating this kind of deterrent into their building design, as homelessness grows worldwide in the richer nations. Many of the ornate older buildings such as museums and government buildings discourage the homeless from sleeping in doorways or ledges by using the same kind idea like strips of plastic pyramids.

 

A Mr Horton who took the pictures told news outlets that contacted him that he believed the studs have been put in place to prevent homeless people from sleeping there. "I can't say for certain but it certainly looked like they were placed there to deter homeless people. It's dreadful.”

 

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told a reporter: ‘There was a homeless man asleep there about six weeks ago.

‘Then about two weeks ago all of a sudden studs were put up outside. ‘I presume it is to deter homeless people from sleeping there.’

 

A spokesperson for Southwark Council said it had not implemented the studs, and had never used such a system to deter homeless people from sleeping in similar areas.