Concern for rough sleepers next to Foss Fairy Trail in York

Tracy Ostle, chair of the Foss Fairy Trail, a free trail for families along the banks of the River Foss across from Huntington Road, said she reported at least two people sleeping rough in a tent on the path to the council’s Navigators on May 19.

However, she said no one replied to her email – and the tent remained next to the river on Monday (June 29).

Tracy Ostle maintaining the Foss Fairy Trail (Image: Dylan Connell)

City of York Council said its teams visited the site several times over the last two months.

A team also attended on Monday to clear the site and found that the rough sleepers were no longer staying in the tent, the council said.

The council’s assistant director of housing, Katherine Proctor, said the local authority’s Housing Navigators work with rough sleepers in York “but our offer of help is not always accepted”.

She said the council teams “always act on all reports” about rough sleepers, and offer help ranging from helping someone returning home or into a hostel and support where necessary.

But Ms Ostle questioned the support that the rough sleepers at the Foss Fairy Trail had received, adding that the lack of communication from the council had left her concerned for their welfare.

Ms Ostle also said delays in officers attending the trail meant she had to spend two hours cleaning the site.

Items left by rough sleepers on the Foss Fairy Trail in York (Image: Supplied)

She said two mattresses and mess – including human waste – had been left at the site, describing it as a “mini-Glastonbury”.

The chair of the trail, who maintains the site alongside her full-time job, said the mess had resulted in people avoiding the area.

But Ms Ostle said she was ultimately concerned for the welfare of the rough sleepers, adding: “It’s just shocking.”

Mattresses left by rough sleepers on the Foss Fairy Trail in York (Image: Supplied)

She felt the rough sleepers would have been seen sooner by the Salvation Army, which previously supported York’s rough sleepers’ early intervention programme through the charity’s £95,000-a-year contract with City of York Council.

Ms Ostle added that Charlie Malarkey, who ran the Salvation Army’s York Early Intervention and Prevention Team before the council moved the service in house in 2023, had been to check on the rough sleepers on the Foss Fairy Trail – even though it is no longer his job.

She claimed the Salvation Army would have ensured the rough sleepers were supported quicker.

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Recalling previous cases with rough sleepers on the Foss Fairy Trail while the Salvation Army carried out the service, Ms Ostle said: “I’d email Charlie Malarkey and he’d be down there first thing – 4am/5am.

“He knew what had to be done and would do whatever he could to find them somewhere. They would be gone the next day.”

Major Andrew Vertigan, from the York Salvation Army, said: “Salvation Army continues to work with rough sleepers across the city, as a voluntary provider of social care but no longer receives funding to do so from City of York Council.”

Mr Vertigan said he has been “surprised by the number of requests and inquiries his team receives”, adding: “We seek to respond and support as best we can with limited resources.”

‘We always act on all reports,’ says council boss

Ms Proctor said City of York Council’s Housing Navigators “work with everyone sleeping rough in the city, including those in the centre and the outlying areas, but our offer of help is not always accepted”. “We offer and give help discreetly, while honouring our duty to protect individuals’ privacy.

“This could range from helping someone to return home or, where appropriate, into a hostel and support. Depending on a person’s circumstances, we cannot always offer a place at a hostel. When in our hostels, everyone must follow a clear set of rules to keep residents and staff safe. If this is breached, we will take action.

“All support is tailored to each person’s needs. It is provided sensitively to maintain a dialogue and encourage the offer of help to be taken up. We work with people to discuss options at times that best suit them.

“When a rough sleeper location is vacated and waste is left behind, our Neighbourhood Enforcement Officers will investigate and clean the site. Any waste left in public spaces should be reported via (www.york.gov.uk/ReportFlyTipping, email ycc@york.gov.uk and will be removed as soon as possible.

“We welcome alerts about people sleeping outdoors and we always act on all reports. This includes help to manage during periods of extreme heat or cold.”