Following recent reports from concerned islanders, Guernsey Police have explained what they will do when someone is identified as sleeping rough in a public location.
They clarified to Express that officers will carry out welfare checks and offer help, but it is then up to the individual if they wish to accept it or not.
“While homelessness is not entirely an issue for the police to deal with generally speaking, however, Guernsey Police would attend a person suspected of being homeless in the first instance to conduct a welfare check,” a spokesperson explained.
“If that person is causing a public disturbance, officers may then seek to move the person on, or take further action if an offence is being committed, however ultimately welfare and working with other services to see if help or support can be found for that person would be the first priority.”
Homelessness has recently been prominent in the public eye with an individual taking shelter in a bus shelter.
Several Guernsey residents have posted about this situation on social media.
Guernsey Police have confirmed that the individual concerned was offered help last week.
A similar situation last summer saw an individual camping at Cambridge Park.
They were also subject to welfare checks and both Guernsey Police and the St Peter Port Douzaine told Express that help had been offered, and refused.
That person left their makeshift camp after a couple of weeks and their tent was then treated as abandoned and logged with the police lost and found service.
The latest situation comes as the fledgling charity, At Home in Guernsey, marks its first anniversary.
Its fight to tackle homelessness locally includes some key initiatives such as a Home Share Scheme, a Day Centre for rough sleepers, and continued development of a ‘Support Plus’ service to streamline access to help.