Alan Jones, the Middlesbrough manager for homeless charity Depaul UK, said sleeping rough was “terrifying”.
“We see people who get attacked, have their tents burnt to the ground, and their few belongings damaged,” Jones said.
“It’s no wonder they’re desperate to find a safe place to sleep, just somewhere they can get their head down with a little less fear.
“What you’re seeing at the police station is traumatised people just desperately trying to survive the night.”
He said people sleeping rough needed “real support” and long-term solutions such as safe and affordable homes.
A Middlesbrough Council spokesperson said they had received extra homelessness funding from government which was being used to employ dedicated staff at Depaul UK.
“These staff work with people facing the toughest of circumstances,” the spokesperson said.
“The issues can’t be resolved in isolation and require us to work with different council services and other organisations to try and get the best outcome.”
