What can I do about homeless person sleeping in the corridor?
Posted by AnxiousCouch@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 129 comments
Okay, first off I want to say I feel absolutely awful even asking this question. I've just moved into a block of flats and a homeless person has been sleeping under the stairs in the communal stairwell. I honestly would not mind at all however, he's leaving cigarettes and needles there and also peeing in the corner of the corridor. If he wasn't doing any of that I wouldn't mind him being there..
He is also not on this planet so as a lone female at night I really don't feel safe with him just shouting to himself in the corridor.
I have tried police but they're useless, will try housing association tomorrow but is there anybody else I can contact?
Brilliant_Charity_29@reddit
You could try someone like Streetlink
ausernamebyany_other@reddit
OP, this is the answer. Or find another homelessness charity or service near you. Years ago we had a homeless person living in the bin shed of our apartment block. Building management had him removed for trespass before we could get him help as another neighbour complained to them, but we were trying to go down the charity support route first.
Justonemorecupoftea@reddit
This is the answer.
You report the location and your local homeless outreach team will get an alert. They should normally send you a brief update too (just something saying they have located the person - privacy means they can't say more).
Or you could do a search for your area and "drug and alcohol outreach team" - not everywhere has one, but there should be a drug and alcohol service at minimum.
Charming_Honeydew_91@reddit
If the police dont do anything or the housing. The environmental health will as the needles are a risk to the public and they have powers that the others dont. I had this same problem when I moved i to my block and it was the environmental health who were calling the shots, we also ended up getting a heavy security door installed so no such people could just come in off the street. Its a shame that this person isn't getting the help they need but you have to keep yourself safe ❤️
Acrobatic_Yogurt_327@reddit
Contact a local homeless charity who will be able to engage with him and, if not already know to social services, put them in touch with him
Fresh-Research3450@reddit
It's terrible that the police won't do anything as a lone female you're feeling scared, get in touch with them again and ask to put in a complaint about their handling of this issue.
AlecMac2001@reddit
The guy living in a stairwell is having the worse experience in this scenario.
sympathetic_earlobe@reddit
And? Way to state the obvious.
Fresh-Research3450@reddit
Yes indeed, it's a situation that could be handled fast by the police getting him the help he needs and listening to the girl who is quite rightly worried that she may be assaulted, when people are addicts they are unpredictable.
narconomic0n@reddit
Lovely way to show sympathy to someone who might've already been traumatized in such a way. Q
SaltyLilSelkie@reddit
Can he move in with you then?
Almeric@reddit
Sure you'd feel the same if he was sleeping in your hallway.
ManikShamanik@reddit
Depending on where this is, contacting the police might cause more problems, many police forces aren't all that sympathetic to junkies (I know that Avon & Somerset plod would almost certainly arrest him, likely GMP, Merseyside and the Met, too).
Yes, it shouldn't be like that but, for many forces, it's all about the arrest stats.
bumbleb33-@reddit
He's having a very shit time. No one's said anything different but needles in the corridor are a healrh issue and cigarette ends are a safety one. Pissing in the corner is a respect issue. If he used a sharps bin, smoked outside and piased elsewhere likely he'd be more likely to be left alone.
thierry_ennui_@reddit
Somebody being worse off doesn't negate the other person's troubles.
jsbaasi@reddit
Both are true and both require help
wobshop@reddit
Of course. Does that mean OP just shouldn’t do anything about the situation?
xvarctic@reddit
Homeless or not, you cant just leave your needles and urinate all over the block, that's just disgusting
boldstrategy@reddit
You answered your own question, housing association / whoever owns the lease if they aren't causing an issue
FrancesRichmond@reddit
neilm1000@reddit
How do you get your post to look like that?
FrancesRichmond@reddit
Like what?
neilm1000@reddit
Like this, highlighted and the typewriter type font (Courier?).
20127010603170562316@reddit
neilm1000@reddit
apaperbagprincess@reddit
Klakson_95@reddit
redseaaquamarine@reddit
CheeerrsJeff@reddit
what?
FrancesRichmond@reddit
No idea that I did that 🤷🏼♀️
FrancesRichmond@reddit
No idea. It doesn't look like that to me- just looks like all the others 😁
boldstrategy@reddit
Okay, so again not a police matter speak to the leaseholder
FrancesRichmond@reddit
They look like police matters to me.
AnxiousCouch@reddit (OP)
If they don't do anything who is the next person to contact? I have a feeling this is an ongoing thing in the building
Pews4eva@reddit
Over exaggerate how scared you are as you’re a lone female. If you can get any photos, videos and/or voice notes it’ll help. My neighbours have been similar and it took 5 years and the main one that was an issue doing crack in front of my video doorbell for them to even start doing anything.
On that note, get a video doorbell. On amazon pretty cheap. My housing association sent me one and I got a backup one for when it’s on charge.
Ring non emergency police and see what they say, especially when he’s shouting.
Blackthorne1998@reddit
Seconded. Police are useless for majority of actual issues nowadays, if u want him gone ur gonna have to exaggerate abit. Tbf if he's leaving needles, pissing in the hallway, and shouting/being a general nuisance, you could report it as antisocial behaviour and state you feel unsafe and threatened in ur own home, and that ur terrified he's gonna do something to u one day. This is the only way the police will actually send someone out, let alone take u seriously.
AlecMac2001@reddit
Lie to get the homeless man in trouble with the police…..classy
Blackthorne1998@reddit
The homeless man that's a long time squatter with a H addiction, zero respect for the building he's staying in, and mental health problems that have the residents concerned he'll get violent?
If he could be reasoned with, I'd be all for it pal. But from the sound of it, he's on drugs, and if anything the police will prolly put him up on emergency housing and signpost him for addiction services. So I fail to see how this ain't a win-win for everyone tbh.
Depending on how bad his mental health is (ie: drug induced psychosis to the extremes) he could even get sectioned, which is a guarantee he's gonna be made to detox in a safe environment if he is a serious druggie. For all you know mate, this could be just the thing he needs to get actual support, instead of living under a fuckin stairwell Harry Potter style
yungsxccubus@reddit
police are more likely to aggravate him in this scenario. if the person can’t be reasoned with, what makes you think the police can reason with him? the police don’t exactly have the best rep with homeless people either, they treat them like shit. it would immediately set the guy off, especially if he’s using and surrounded by the evidence. they’re not trained mental health professionals and usually just escalate the situation, which results in the guy getting hurt and probably charged with something when what he actually needs is support.
street link, simon community, shelter, barnardos if he looks on the younger side, they’ll help or even try and signpost. they will also involve police if it’s actually necessary, but it at least gives the poor guy a chance before they section him or chuck him in a cell
much_furthur@reddit
And Harry Potter lived in a cupboard, not a stair well.
Lil_GamesCrashed@reddit
A “cupboard under the stairs”
much_furthur@reddit
How the fuck did you diagnose all that from the original post??
H addiction? Psychosis? Long time squatter? Where did all that come from?
Amazing-Heron-105@reddit
Nah you're right. They shouldn't be lying but by all means get them moved on if he's being a nuisance.
weareblades@reddit
Tell the police that the homeless person dead named you, they'll soon send someone around to have a word.
DenormalHuman@reddit
reach out to local homeless help charities, they will be best place to give good advice with awareness of local help the homeless person may take advantage of.
Blackthorne1998@reddit
This is also a good shout, assuming the charities in ur location are decent/not overworked. They can't do ought to remove him from the lobby, but it's something worth checking, just incase he does take up the charities offer of support, saving everyone stress.
Only issue is depending how bad his addiction is, he may struggle in said charities, as sometimes they can lead to addicts being took advantage of, or being put in with other addicts who get em back on it.
(good example is how my local homeless shelter has known dealers lurking about it or near it at all hours of the day. For them it's a guarantee that if they wait near it long enough, someone will come out looking to buy a bag.)
Tbf tho, this post was about a lady feeling uncomfortable in her own home, so as nice as it would be for this to wrap up nice n tidy for the homeless guy, the main issue is getting him out before escalations occur, not what he does next or if he gets support. That's someone else's problem at that point, cruel as it is to say.
boldstrategy@reddit
Honestly no one, whoever owns the building can let them stay
FrazerRPGScott@reddit
I've been in this situation with people sleeping and using drugs in the hall and it might be best to just move. I had to approach a large group of teenagers and 20 - 30 age drug users once in the hallways of the building I lived in with the guy from upstairs. We asked them to move on. That ended up with the guy upstairs going to get a bat and telling them to leave. The younger lad in that group then called the police..... Who turned up right away after ignoring us for weeks and layed into the guy upstairs for threatening the group of druggies who had no reason to be there at all. You can't threaten them ect ect but they had been threatening us for weeks. The next day after the police actually visited they set a fire in the building in the middle of the night on the stairs. It would be better to just avoid them and move the police will be useless.
AnxiousCouch@reddit (OP)
hey thanks for advice, unfortunately unable to move as it was offered to me by the housing association and i can't afford private rents. I don't think it'll get out of hand just yet as long as it's dealt with quickly in the next few weeks.
Sorry to hear of your situation!
FrazerRPGScott@reddit
It was a long time ago for me. That means there is always future hope. We moved and have lived with great neighbours a while now. I've even sat and had a few beers with my neighbours now.
KindlyFirefighter616@reddit
Is this outside or inside?
AnxiousCouch@reddit (OP)
Inside
DragonfruitItchy4222@reddit
I would give him some money and make sure he knows he can't come back again. In your case I'd find someone who can pass that message to him properly and let them do it.
Obviously try to get however he's entered locked up better.
There's no excuse for how he's treating the place.
Competitive_Net1571@reddit
And once he gets money he WILL be back...
DragonfruitItchy4222@reddit
Not if he's told properly the first time
Competitive_Net1571@reddit
Lol
Due-Independence1530@reddit
Ask male family member or friend to kindly ask him to move on.
Imaginary_Desk_@reddit
My mum had this issue and liaised with her housing association officer who actually found a place for the person (who funnily enough was an old fling of mine who had fallen on hard times).
Mums housing officer also ensured that the communal door locks were changed and gave each resident a key.
ERTCF53@reddit
AdFriendly6195@reddit
In the interim but I yellow sharps bin off Amazon for £12 and gift it to them saying please can you use this and arrange to collect it once full.
AdFriendly6195@reddit
Your housing provider explain the needles and how it’s unsafe for the children they should make sure it’s locked.
The thing is they often will ring the buzzers or wait outside to follow someone in once they find a “safe space”
fried_rice_guy@reddit
Unethical hack for the police if you really feel unsafe and need to get him out of there: tell them you think you saw something he was holding glint in the light and couldn’t be sure if it was a knife or not. They’ll have to come and investigate.
TonyBlairsDildo@reddit
Knife + hate crime guarantees a response. The police have to follow specific procedures, including follow-up and satisfactory resolution if something is called in as a hate crime. If they're busy, hate crimes with threats of weapons are prioritised above everything else.
CarpeCyprinidae@reddit
Report a threat by him to the police every night. Basically use the system against him. He won't be believed and you will and he'll go away after being interrogated every night
xxxJoolsxxx@reddit
Mybe local charities etc but in the meantime maybe get him a bucket to pee in and empty daily and a sharps bin for the needles and see if he keeps himself tidy at least. He doesn't want to be there as much as you don't want him but perhaps you could come to an agreement and maybe if you talk to him you won't be as scared of him. Do all this with a friend at first obviously and try not to let him know you are alone.
ImpressNice299@reddit
If he was sheltering for his life, you'd be right to feel awful - but plenty of other options for him exist.
wopsywoo@reddit
I had a similar situation, they started a fire in the bin area, left needles and other stuff all over, would fight and argue constantly. I contacted the police, they'd come ask them to move along and they'd be back within an hour, building management weren't any help, and local council wouldn't get involved as it was private, even with small children in the building, no one was interested. After months of it, and getting stabbed with a needle, which was terrifying having to have tests, which thankfully were all negative. I contacted the local MP who told me to go to the papers because he wasn't getting anywhere either, he attended the property and couldn't understand how it wasn't a health a safety risk considering they would set the bins on fire for whatever reason, that were stored in a building attached to the flats. I did, and lo and behold, a large gate was fitted within a week where they were getting in, and the problem was solved.
jovialjonquil@reddit
Not in the UK sorry, (Australian) But if he is shouting to himself then he may be having ongoing psychotic episodes and you may be able to get him into an involuntary mental health hold under your mental health act. Not enturely sure how that would work for you in the UK, but here in Australia we have "CATT" teams (crisis assessment treatment team) you can call and they can come assess. You may have to really advocate for it, but even opening a case with them may then help you later on if the gentleman does become violent or aggressive.
runs_with_fools@reddit
Where abouts in the country are you?
FunParsnip4567@reddit
He's not breaking any laws. What did you want the police to do?
DullHovercraft3748@reddit
I'll walk into your gaff, shoot up and then piss in the corner. You won't mind as I'm not breaking any law.
FunParsnip4567@reddit
Minding and breaking h laws are 2 very different things. You do that in my house and I can throw you out because as a home owner.
No_Mood1492@reddit
Wait, are you suggesting the reason you think it's legal to shoot up in a stairwell is because it's a rental property and not owner occupied?
CindysExtraTesticle@reddit
Drugs are illegal. If he has needles, he has drugs.
neilm1000@reddit
But not all needle drugs are illegal.
Ok-Ambassador1247@reddit
Trespassing?
Lopsided_Soup_3533@reddit
Trespassing isn't criminal unless its aggravated
Ok-Ambassador1247@reddit
Squatting in a residential building? Not sure if that applies if he’s in a shared space and not an actual flat though
FunParsnip4567@reddit
Not illegal
AnxiousCouch@reddit (OP)
I mean, I'm a bit concerned he's going to set the place on fire for a start and it's technically trespassing? Like I said if he was just sleeping there I wouldn't have cared it's just he clearly has addiction and mental health issues which makes him unpredictable. He also can't leave needles etc around the place too it's not safe. He needs the right support and that's not in the communal stairwell.
FunParsnip4567@reddit
Concerned somebody might do something isnt illegal and neither is trespassing. It's the housing associations' buildong and therefore responsibility, not the police's. Get back onto them.
Ok-Ambassador1247@reddit
What reason did the police give for not doing anything? It’s trespassing and he’s using threatening behaviour and illegal drugs, how much more do they need??
AnxiousCouch@reddit (OP)
They just said it wasn't high priority but they'll try to send someone round as a non emergency which could take up to a week but I haven't seen anyone and he's still there so I guess they haven't called round yet! I used to work in the city centre and had incidents all the time, unless you were having some serious issues they wouldn't usually bother so I'm not holding out they ever will but I am concerned for my safety a bit. Just mainly at night.
Ok-Ambassador1247@reddit
Have you spoken to neighbours in the building, what do they say?
MrsFernandoAlonso@reddit
Leaving used needles in a public area is legal?
OwineeniwO@reddit
If they leave their stuff there put some gloves on and put it outside if they come back chuck it away.
ProperComposer7949@reddit
Please don't touch uncapped sharps even with gloved hands, you have no idea if this guy has dirty blood and it would only take one accidental slip whilst moving stuff for it to be not good news. I probably wouldn't move his stuff either if he's mentally unwell (the shouting at himself may imply this) it just saves possible future arguments or confrontation
Shelter or the council may well have homeless advice or teams that could either assist or certainly give sound advice.
Laescha@reddit
There's no such thing as "dirty blood", people with blood borne illnesses aren't dirty, but you are totally correct that OP shouldn't try to pick up used sharps without a litter picker.
MarcoJono@reddit
Not sure why you’ve been downvoted so much. You’re absolutely right.
acarine-@reddit
I would bet on a disgusting crackhead with blood borne illnesses to be dirty.
Laescha@reddit
Do you think that might have something to do with being homeless, rather than (possibly, we have no idea) having an illness? I'd like to see you stay clean with no access to washing or laundry facilities.
acarine-@reddit
Which they likely got from doing dirty stuff like using dirty needles.
ProperComposer7949@reddit
Sorry I probably used the wrong word for this day and age, I should have said someone with a blood born illness but we all know what I meant with the term dirty blood, and meant zero offence to anyone with said illnesses
OwineeniwO@reddit
If you've got a brain you can move most things.
ProperComposer7949@reddit
I'm not disputing this, uncapped sharps from a homeless drug user would fall into the catorgory of the things not included in most things for anyone with a brain
OwineeniwO@reddit
Are you honestly unable to pick something up without touching anything pointy?
ProperComposer7949@reddit
No I'm capable of it I would happily pick up my own sharps and carry them through doors and up and down stairs all day, however without a sharps bin I'm going to be much more cautious and probably not touch an unknown drug users uncapped sharps. It's common sense. Also it's common courtesy not to touch other people's stuff without permission
OwineeniwO@reddit
You don't need permission to move a druggies drug paraphernalia or belongings when they're living somewhere without permission, maybe you think op is not as talented as you but it does sound like she has a brain so I think she could do it.
ProperComposer7949@reddit
Right OK mate, I see your sole reason for being here is to be argumentative so I'll just leave you to it
OwineeniwO@reddit
Is that what you say every time some one disagrees with you?
SwimmingOdd3228@reddit
Telepathy has not worked for me so far.
Pews4eva@reddit
OP it would be silly to touch his stuff😂 Imagine she’s halfway through moving it and he comes back😂
neilm1000@reddit
Where is he getting the needles? If he's leaving them lying around then he isn't reusing/sharing (which is rare now anyway). If you can find out then they may be able to help, that is unless they've already tried to intervene.
What do the neighbours say about this?
Toc-H-Lamp@reddit
Had similar problems where I live. Homeless charities are few and far between (I drew a blank), building management are not worth the money we pay the, and the police the you through a box ticking exercise in the hope to get you off their backs. I found the email address for our police commissioner and sent a message outlining the problem. All of a sudden the police started calling me and planning a route for a beat bobby.
In my case we had eastern Europeans rough sleeping, I'm sure they didn't move to this country with that in mind and probably needed help more than policing, and a group of teenagers using the communal areas to smoke dope and huff balloon gas while making lots of noise. Again, they probably needed guidance more than policing but social funding for such things is non-existent.
KatieCampbel1@reddit
How is he getting in and out of the building?
AnxiousCouch@reddit (OP)
I think it's through the bin room, it's the only place I can think of
Exotic-Knowledge-243@reddit
Can it be locked? If so lock it
AnxiousCouch@reddit (OP)
No, otherwise I would have done that already
Ananakoya@reddit
If all else fails… give him an empty bottle.
Figgzyvan@reddit
Try your local homeless outreach team.
Ok-Researcher-7101@reddit
Came to say this.
Paulpalien@reddit
What do you want him to do by all your comments should he just kill himself then your all happy omg
PigletAlert@reddit
I think OP would simply like him not to pee inside the building and leave his drug paraphernalia lying around. I dealt with the same situation for years, it caused £1000s in damage and cleaning bills, they steal parcels and people have been threatened with used needles. I would happily let them sleep here if they kept the environment clean and were respectful but they aren’t.
WeSavedLives@reddit
Give him some food and ask him to stop doing those things
acarine-@reddit
Actual idiot😭
Pews4eva@reddit
No she definitely shouldn’t do that😂
OwineeniwO@reddit
Is that really safe?
AnxiousCouch@reddit (OP)
No, I'm assuming this is a troll account or someone who's under 15..
Evening-Duty3525@reddit
Street link
NaniFarRoad@reddit
Try these or Urban Outreach or whatever the equivalent organisation, that deals w homeless/drug users, in your area.
simmyawardwinner@reddit
honestly? if there is a guy shooting up in your stairwell and pissing, is this likely a place you want to be living? its probably not a great area/building in general.. is there any reason you couldnt move somewhere a bit safer - tell ur landlord to fix the problem and if not you want to be released from ur tenancy as u dont feel this is fair/safe to have to live with
AnxiousCouch@reddit (OP)
Unfortunately, I can't afford rental prices and have just been housed by a housing association. Even when renting privately in this area things are so expensive that there are similar issues. Not that it matters but for context I work full time (40/50 hours a week) but I can't afford £800 in rent for a house share or £1500 a month just in rent
simmyawardwinner@reddit
ahh okay, then that definetly changes things. im really sorry your having to put up with it. i think definitely speak to the housing asosciation but constantly follow up with vids/pics to a specific person there who takes on your complaint. only take them if its safe and the person cannot see. in the mean time i think try to record on your notes when this person is there, you may end up finding a pattern in his coming/going that you can feel a bit safer knowing hes not there. try to just walk quickly in and out and dont make eye contact with them, and really be careful you dont step on any of the needles as thats obviously really dangerous. i would also try the police quite a few times, sometimes a different person picks up and you get a different response. if theres needles around a communal staircase, you could also add that theres multiple people including kids going in / out the building (if there are) and this might make them more concerned .
Same-Bed-3342@reddit
Yes because it’s as simple as just packing up and moving away in this housing market
simmyawardwinner@reddit
you didnt read my comment. i didnt say pack up and leave, i said tell ur landlord to fix the problem and if not you want to be released from ur tenancy as u don't feel this is fair/safe to have to live with. if something is making her feel unsafe its definitely worth doing getting out of the tenancy clause. there are always other places available. might take a while to find one but there are.
Same-Bed-3342@reddit
Pay someone to kick the shit out of him
Ollie_002@reddit
Consider speaking to your local MP, it’s possible they can follow up people you’ve already pursued such as the police, council, landlord etc.
OkTrash7951@reddit
Oh that’s really hard. The housing association need to secure the building better. That’s what you pay service charges for. If they don’t surely they are of breach of contract? Perhaps seek advice from citizens advice too.
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