POOLE council chiefs are urging residents to contact a hotline number if they have any concerns about the safety of rough sleepers on the borough’s streets this winter.

As temperatures drop concern for rough sleepers rises, so Borough of Poole wants people to contact the national initiative Streetlink, to enable council workers to offer services to those in need.

A total of 87 rough sleepers in Bournemouth and Poole were helped off the streets, between April and June, after both councils teamed up with a Crime Reduction Initiative (CRI) earlier this year.

Controversially, this initiative included the launch of a campaign urging people not to give cash to beggars.

Last week’s count in Poole revealed seven people were sleeping rough in the borough.

Borough of Poole portfolio holder for housing Cllr Karen Rampton, said: “We take the hardship faced by rough sleepers, particularly during the cold weather, very seriously and we have a dedicated provision in place to help provide support and shelter where ever possible.

“We would encourage people who are concerned about anyone sleeping rough to contact Streetlink and help to connect that person to the local services available.”

Streetlink also has a smartphone app which can be used to report anyone’s concerns.

The Bournemouth & Poole Rough Sleepers Team is managed by CRI on behalf of both local authorities. It works to help people sleeping rough access support, for many a first-step towards leaving the streets and into secure accommodation.

A Borough of Poole spokesman explained: “The rough sleepers team also provide assertive street outreach six days a week and deliver day centre in Poole each weekday.”

Contact Streetlink on 0300 5000 914.