Inside Reading's homeless camps as fire prompts action from council

Last Friday at a homeless camp between the train lines and the Tesco store in Napier Road, a large fire swept through the encampment, burning down tents and gazebos. 

Thames Valley Police and Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, who attended the incident for more than an hour, reported that no one was hurt in the blaze.

Just three day earlier, Reading Borough Council ramped up an emergency plan to support people rough sleeping, as temperatures dropped to freezing conditions. 

Now those in rough sleeping camps nearby along the River Thames footpath face rising floodwaters, with the Environment Agency issuing flood warnings along the waterway. 

Visiting several camps along the footpath from Napier Road to Thames Valley Business Park, The Reading Chronicle was told by those rough sleeping that they were 'scared' for their safety this winter - but they were unsure if they would seek out council support. 

Freezing conditions, rising flood waters, and fires burning down camps - those rough sleeping around Reading are facing a perilous winter, but the council says few are taking up offers of warm and safe accommodation.  (Image: nq) One resident, a Romanian national who has been in the UK for six years and has been sleeping in a camp at a short distance from the Napier Road site for three months, said she had not seen nor been told about any outreach work to support people sleeping in camps. 

The 44-year-old indicated that she would be reluctant to speak to anyone employed by the local authority. 

Nearby residents on canal boots on the River Thames said they were deeply concerned for the wellbeing of those in the camps. 

One canal boat resident, Charlie, said: "I'm really worried about the homeless around here. 

"People need to stay warm - and fires are not always set in the right way."

Homeless charity St Mungo’s has visited the Napier Road site since the fire to carry out welfare checks and offer support, according to a spokesperson from Reading Borough Council. 

The charity's staff 'regularly' visits the site, according to the council representative, who said offers for support were rarely taken up.  

The council has made 'repeated' offers of accommodation during recent freezing weather, but there had been 'low' uptake from camp attendees.

Earlier this month, the council received a grant of £121,869 from the government with the aim to further support homeless people and those rough sleeping this winter. 

The money will go in part towards the creation of a daytime warm hub between January and March, according to a spokesperson from Reading Borough Council. 

The council representative said: "The Council additionally works all year-round with commissioned and charity sector partners including Launchpad Reading, The Salvation Army and YMCA Reading to provide over 250 spaces of accommodation with support.

"We have productive partnerships with local faith, voluntary and community sector organisations who provide additional support, often through the provision of food and clothing, or warm spaces.

“Our dedicated Rough Sleeping Initiatives Team and Safer Public Realm Team work closely together around encampments, like the one at Napier Road, to identify sites that require targeted support from St Mungo’s."

If you're worried about someone sleeping rough, you can contact the St Mungo’s team by providing the location and some further details about who they are worried about at www.thestreetlink.org.uk.

You can also encourage the vulnerable person to approach the Council’s Homelessness Prevention Service at the Civic Centre on Bridge Street during opening hours. 

The team can be reached on 0118 937 2165 or 01344 351 999 in an out of hours emergency after 5pm or at weekends.