Neighbourhood policing teams helping rough sleepers with new ‘sleep pods’

Durham Constabulary has teamed up with a local housing charity to provide innovative sleep pods to give vulnerable homeless people temporary shelter before a more permanent solution can be found.

Led by PCSO Matt Fogin, the force has received 100 sleep pods that officers can now carry and distribute to vulnerable people while they go out on regular outreach patrols in the neighbourhood.

The teams of officers and outreach workers from local charity Cornerstone Supported Housing and Counselling are joined by a dedicated therapy dog called Bob. He, the force says, can bridge the gap where humans can’t and even once helped convince a man not to take his own life.

The sleep pods are specially designed to protect an individual from the elements and reduce anti-social behaviour and other criminal behaviour associated with tents. They are a temporary measure that helps keep the user safe until charity Cornerstone can work with them to secure more permanent housing.

Ian Ashby, founder of the company that makes the sleep pods, said that they are made by prisoners, 40% of whom have experienced rough sleeping. He added that they were made with the care of people who know exactly what it’s like to find themselves at their lowest point.

The pilot project was initially carried out by the Bishop Auckland Neighbourhood Policing Team. PCSO Fogin said: “I think this relationship between the charity and police is golden,” he said. “The main aim is to support people and get people off the street.”

Photo information:

Bob along with Cornerstone’s Response Team, Nicky Morson and Georgina Mawson and Sleep Pod creator, Ian Ashby and general manager, Katie Matthews joined Assistant Chief Constable Richie Allen, Deputy PCC Graham Hall and PCSOs at Durham Constabulary’s HQ.

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