Greater Manchester has been praised after a recent study found the region’s street homelessness figures have reduced by over 50%.
After Greater Manchester set what was deemed to be “the most ambitious target” out of the 13 initial ‘Vanguard Cities’ that committed to tackling street homelessness by December 2020, new research from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh found that there was an “impressive” 52% reduction against baseline figures across the region.
The region overall had the largest reduction in absolute numbers on the streets, from 241 in November 2018, to 115 that month in 2020, according to the research.
However, it did not meet its overall target of completely ending all rough sleeping.
The report by Heriot-Watt University comes after the Institute of Global Homelessness’ (IGH) A Place to Call Home initiative launched in 2017 as the first concerted effort to support cities around the world to eradicate street homelessness and rough sleeping, ITV Granada reports.
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Among the initial 13 ‘Vanguard Cities’ committed to tackling the issue by December 2020 as well as Greater Manchester included Glasgow, Brussels, Chicago, and Adelaide.
Rijeka, Little Rock, Edmonton, Montevideo, Santiago, Tshwane, and Bengaluru were the others.
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There was an “impressive” 52% reduction against baseline street homelessness figures across Greater Manchester / Credit: Gary Knight (via Wikimedia Commons)
Researchers into the initiative since its inception found that one of the reasons for Greater Manchester’s reduction in figures can be put down to dedicated initiatives brought in because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which were said to have helped to accelerate success and “demonstrate what can be achieved with sufficient political will”.
A lead co-ordinating agency, and co-ordinated entry to services, as well as investment in “specialised and evidence-based interventions” were among the keys to progress in tackling homelessness, the report found.
On the flip side, the report found that reliance on “undignified and sometimes unsafe communal shelters” were barriers, and more “structural and system change” was needed to progress.
Speaking on the findings of the recent research, Professor Suzanne Fitzpatrick – director of the Institute for Social Policy, Housing, Equalities Research (I-Sphere) at Heriot-Watt University – said: “While there are clear country-specific challenges that need to be overcome, this first global initiative on tackling street homelessness has highlighted the need to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach, towards more specialised interventions that target specific subgroups.”
She highlighted appropriate services for women, children, older people, and other vulnerable groups as being “essential”.
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Appeal for information after serious bus-cyclist collision on Deansgate
Daisy Jackson
Police have launched an appeal for information following a serious road traffic collision on Deansgate, which has left a cyclist in critical condition.
Yesterday afternoon reports were made of a crash between a cyclist and a bus on the busy street in Manchester city centre.
The cyclist, who is a man in his 80s, has suffered life-threatening injuries in the crash, and remains in hospital in critical condition.
The crash took place on the junction of Bridge Street and Deansgate at around 12.30pm on Monday 2 November.
A large cordon was in place and Deansgate closed for several hours yesterday.
Police officers are now appealing for any witnesses who may have seen the moments leading up to this incident, or may have mobile phone or dashcam footage, to come forward.
No arrests have been made.
Anyone with information can contact police on 0161 856 4741 quoting the log number 1510 of 02.11.26. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Greater Manchester emergency services issue urgent safety warning ahead of Bonfire Night
Emily Sergeant
An urgent safety warning has been issued by emergency services ahead of Bonfire Night this week.
With Bonfire Night only a few days away now, and fireworks already starting to be let off across the region, Greater Manchester’s emergency services have, once again, come together to launch a campaign urging communities to be safe, and warn against attacking emergency service workers or taking part in anti-social behaviour.
Led by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), in partnership with Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), and the region’s 10 local Councils, the Bang Out Of Order campaign highlights the consequences of anti-social behaviour.
Last year, incidents of anti-social behaviour relating to nuisance from fireworks rose by 2% – with 1,020 cases recorded, while attacks on firefighters also sadly increased.
An urgent safety warning has been issued by emergency services ahead of Bonfire Night / Credit: DESIGNECOLOGIST (via Unsplash)
935 fires were also started deliberately between 1 September and 10 November last year, while 767 hoax calls were made to the police and fire service within the same time period.
GMFRS has now issued an urgent safety warning.
Matt Hamer, Director for Community Safety and Training, said: “The Bonfire Night period is one of the busiest times of the year for our emergency services, and we want everyone to enjoy the celebrations safely and responsibly.
“We strongly encourage people to attend organised firework displays and bonfire events wherever possible. If you are planning your own celebrations, it is essential that you follow the Firework Code and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and those around you.
“Deliberately setting fires, misusing fireworks or attacking emergency service workers is completely unacceptable and can have serious consequences. Our firefighters are there to protect communities and should never face abuse, violence or intimidation while carrying out their duties.
Emily Sergeant -
4th April 2022 
