Bid to help vulnerable homeless in borough

Council bosses are launching a new project aimed at turning round the chaotic lives of vulnerable homeless people in a seaside town in Yorkshire including rough sleepers.

Scarborough also has around 25 persistent street drinkers which council bosses say gives a negative impression of the town and it is hoped that the new policies will offer support, and help deal with the issue.

The local authority has teamed up with a number of partners to launch its Changing Lives project which aims to tackle the homeless problem across the borough.

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It is also supporting the Government’s No Second Night Out drive which aims to reduce rough sleeping nationally and has signed up to a scheme to tackle street drinking to try to find people help or take enforcement action where necessary.

A former homeless hostel is being redeveloped to provide intensive support and Changing Lives will also put people in touch with other services, with employment and training opportunities and with basic skills training such as numeracy and literacy.

A spokeswoman for Scarborough Borough Council said: “Some are alcohol-dependent, frequently drunk and may be using drugs and also suffering from psychiatric disorders of varying degrees of severity.”

Meanwhile West Yorkshire Police are joining council chiefs in Wakefield to tackle problems linked to super-strength alcohol.

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The scheme invites retailers to sign up voluntarily to remove all cheap super-strength alcohol from their premises. Evidence shows is a strong link between excessive drinking, crime and antisocial behaviour.

Retailers in Normanton are being asked to join the initiative focusing on lager, beer or cider with an alcohol volume of 6.5 per cent or more. Police will monitor retailers who have not joined the programme for signs of anti-social behaviour and other offences and say they will act if necessary.