THERE has been an increase in the number of rough sleepers in Bournemouth over the summer, the council has confirmed.

But they were unable to say how many have been 're-connected' under their new strategy to find appropriate accommodation for homeless people.

Following reports of aggressive beggars making life a misery for people parking in Bournemouth's central NCP car park, the council say their rough sleeper team regularly target the car park, and are prepared to act on anti-social behaviour.

Dorset Police have confirmed they were alerted to a man threatening another man and that, when they attended, rough sleepers were “moved on” from the car park stairwell.

Earlier this year, Bournemouth council invested £200,000 in a new crackdown, after complaints from businesses about anti-social behaviour and waste left in shop doorways by rough sleepers.

Two new members of staff have been funded - one to encourage homeless people from outside the area to leave Dorset and the other charged with helping rough sleepers with a connection to Bournemouth to find accommodation.

The council were also investigating introducing private security staff into the town centre, who would be granted certain police powers under the national Community Safety Accreditation Scheme.

These wardens would be similar to the Community Safety Patrol Officers already in place in Boscombe, who are tasked with dealing with begging, street drinking and stopping people cycling on the pavement.

Caroline Roundhill, homelessness strategy manager, said: “The security arrangements being made for any security staff will be made on a private basis, as such we cannot comment on their implementation, but would support any such action.

"The council’s anti-social behaviour team has not received any recent reports of ASB in the car park, but would act on any such report.

"However, the Rough Sleeper Team regularly target the car park and work in conjunction with the ASB Coordinator, the Police and the Town Centre Enforcement Team.

"Most areas see an increase in rough sleeping during the summer months and this year has been no exception.

"The council’s enhanced approach has however seen positive results, with an increase in successful re-connections to appropriate accommodation, an increase in the number and scope of street outreach and positive feedback regarding the Town Centre Enforcement Team."

When asked how many 're-connections' had taken place, a spokesperson for Bournemouth Council said they couldn't confirm a definite number.