FEWER people are sleeping rough across Colchester after a project launched to tackle the issue.

Colchester Borough Homes and Colchester Council secured more than £300,000 in funding to help find homes for people who could find themselves on the street.

A count held in November last year found there were 13 people sleeping rough in the town. This compared to 33 at the same time the previous year.

The cash secured from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government helped carry out work this winter to help people rough sleeping.

The housing team have employed two outreach workers, who are working from early morning to late at night to encourage people they find rough sleeping to take up support or accommodation.

Since early December they have found a home for at least 12 people who would otherwise have been sleeping rough.

Earlier this month the council's Severe Weather Emergency Protocol was triggered.

The plan, which supported rough sleepers, is triggered when the temperature drops below three degrees for at least three nights.

Housing and communities boss at the council, Tina Bourne said: “I am pleased that Colchester is reducing the number of rough sleepers at a time when such problems are increasing nationally.

“Changing lifestyles is challenging and can take time, but by working in a co-ordinated way with partnership organisations we have achieved some positive outcomes for people. We will continue to work hard to create a Better Colchester for everyone.”

The teams will now continue work to help rough sleeper get access to support, encourage people to use its Street Link app and support organisations which donate items or time to help rough sleepers.

Anyone concerned about rough sleepers should contact Street Link via the app, or call 999.

To volunteer or find out more visit https://bit.ly/2BcoOOB.