Upset over rough sleepers pitched near to war graves
Mourners visiting Cleethorpes cemetery were upset to find two tents occupied by homeless people set up near war graves.
A visitor said he was appalled to see the tents next to Second World War graves and close to the Solomon Court retirement housing block. He said he had seen evidence of drug taking and the occupants drinking alcohol.
He said: "This is very intimidating, not just for myself, but the many people who visit the graves of loved ones. Not to mention they were right next to a grave, which is appalling."
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He added: "They are not pitching up in the old, lesser-visited part of the cemetery, or let alone the waste land opposite or the empty field at the back. They are blatantly on view where all the newer and recently deceased graves are sited, whose bereaved friends and family are frequently visiting.
"We spend a lot of time, effort and money keeping our loved ones' graves cared for and to have a peaceful place to go and spend time and we like many others I have spoken to, feel very protective of that now it is all we have left."
He added: "There is no reason for them to seek refuge in this or any other cemetery. It is disrespectful, inappropriate and morally wrong on every level."
Another visitor to the cemetery said: "There were two tents pitched in a corner of the cemetery. Now there is one. But it is near the war graves. It is terribly upsetting."
Croft Baker ward councillor, Oliver Freeston, said: "I’m absolutely horrified to witness the level of disrespect towards the deceased and their families. I have been informed that this is an issue for the council to deal with due to it being council land. However I implore the council and police to work both collaboratively and swiftly to move these people on.
"Homelessness is awful. However I do not tolerate or sympathise with people setting up camp in a cemetery. There have been reports of illicit activities which is just so disrespectful."
Armed Forces champion for North East Lincolnshire, Alex Baxter said: "It is clearly disrespectful and could by many, be considered insulting to the memories of those souls who have been laid to rest. It would be almost impossible to not to be aware of these surroundings and the tent pitchers must be fully aware.
"This will be distressing to those whose loved ones rest there alongside war graves. This, for families, friends and responsible citizens, will be seen as extreme anti-social behaviour., so they should be challenged to ascertain their misguided logic."
He added: "I am aware in the past of veterans setting up bivouac at war graves in order to tend to the graves of their comrades and to be close to them. But I don't think this is the case here."
A North East Lincolnshire Council spokesperson said: "People sleeping rough in Cleethorpes cemetery have been offered support by our outreach officers. This support has included signposting to local services.
“Whilst we do not have the power to move people on, we are working with Humberside Police and partners such as Harbour Place to regularly visit the site and maintain the offer of support. Our officers have requested that the individuals move away from the war graves.
“Nobody should be sleeping rough in North East Lincolnshire. Support is available to help people when they’re struggling, and our officers work with landlords, tenants, charities and agencies to make sure that this support is available to anyone who needs it.
“Where someone is sleeping rough, the easiest way to help is by making an alert on StreetLink - Connecting people sleeping rough to local services (thestreetlink.org.uk), which will go to the rough sleeper coordinator, who will work with the outreach team to offer support to the individual.
“Housing Related Support is available for people who are struggling to manage their tenancy. It can help with anything from learning to budget properly to helping with landlord issues. For more information please visit Housing Related Support service | NELC (nelincs.gov.uk)
On Tuesday morning there was one tent visible in Cleethorpes cemetery, near the war graves.