Controversial Anti-homeless Slope Removed
A slope that was put on to the steps of a Liverpool building to deter rough sleepers has been partially removed. It is thought the slope was partially destroyed on Sunday evening – but it is not yet known who is responsible for causing the damage.
The owners of the former Bank of England building in Castle Street had installed the slope to stop homeless people sleeping in the doorway. This is the same building that was occupied last year by squatters who wanted it to be used as a homeless shelter.
The steps had been used by rough sleepers throughout the year, but the slope made it impossible for anyone to sit, stand or lie down on them. This is known as ‘hostile architecture’, where constructions are designed to keep people or animals from resting on them. For example, anti-homeless spikes in doorways to prevent rough sleeping, bars in the centre of benches to stop people from lying down on them, and spikes at the top of fences to stop pigeons from landing on them.
One local man who had slept on the step ‘for months’ said: “It’s just poor isn’t it, really. What harm are you doing sleeping on a step?” Another rough sleeper added: “We take everything away with us – it’s left clean and that. You know, we’re on the streets and that… to do this is just…”
Other local people said they wouldn’t mind the slope, as long as homeless people could sleep in the empty Bank of England building if they needed to. On Sunday evening, a group of volunteers – who described themselves as humanitarian activists – gathered at the steps to hand out warm food and clothing to the rough sleepers affected by the slope.
One volunteer told the Liverpool Echo: “We think the slope was absolutely disgusting. It’s inhumane – but we’ve no idea who has done this. We turned up to take donations – we don’t take money but we take food, clothes and stuff and part of it has gone. We don’t want people to think this had anything to do with us.”
After seeing the news about the slope, the group – who wished to remain anonymous for fear of being linked to the removal – decided to gather at the Bank of England as a place to hand out food and clothing.
The Whitechapel Centre is coordinating the Liverpool outreach response to rough sleeping as part of the ‘No Second Night Out’ campaign. If you know someone who could use their help, call them on 0300 123 2041.
