WWYD? Homeless outside house (diagram)

[NotUnusual]

Hi, (apologies for crap diagram)

NC for this. The past couple of days I've noticed a homeless couple who are clearly addicts sleeping in the communal street bin corner directly opposite my house. They are cuddled up between 2 bins day and night, surrounded by drug paraphernalia. I got such a fright the first noticed, when I put the bin out yesterday and saw a pair of legs between the 2 black bins. This was at 12pm and they were still there at 4pm when I went to do the school run. Today they are still there.

I'm really concerned and dont know what to do. I'm selfishly more worried for me and DC than them as they are surrounded by needles and stuff. I'm trying to avoid putting any rubbish out, am triple checking doors are locked and banning DC from playing outside. I know it's wrong and it's obviously the state of the world at the moment for the homeless but I naively assumed they took refuge in the woods or shop doorways etc but to be lying between bins in Broad day light where kids live and play I just feel so anxious. Please don't pile on me, I know my thinking is wrong and self-centered

HELP!!

You need a gate on the bin shed.

This exact thing happened to us. The week we moved in a homeless man overdosed and died in the bin shed, then we had people living in there and shooting up.

All it took was a gate to be installed to stop this behaviour. Gate can be opened using a firefighters key which bin men will have so no problem there.

Yes we should empathise with people living with addiction - but you also have a right to use basic amenities without coming into contact with used needles or someone off their face.

Do not be guilted into approaching them, talking to them or having any sympathy for them by people on here. Addicts can't be trusted - at all. And yes of course the police should arrest them - they're carrying out an illegal activity in the street and on private property. I can't believe anyone actually thinks it's ok that the police would let them lie around by the bins like that?!

I'd report and repot and report, OP. Make yourself the absolute squeakiest wheel you can be. Make it so that its more hassle to deal with your constant calls than with the druggies.

I would contact a local drug rehabilitation or homeless charity, I think they would be more helpful than the police. Although talking to them to see how you can help is a nice idea, in reality it's probably more specialist help that they need and you don't have to get personally involved. See what you can find online about nearby support groups.

Going outside wear your heaviest boots. No sandals flip flops. Wear thickest marigolds gloves you have. I’d be intimidated too.educate kids not to touch syringes or needles. If you absolutely must pick one up use litter picker, into a plastic bottle you can screw a lid on.

Don't try and help them beyond calling streetlink. People in active addiction are erratic and if you don't know how to manage the situation could put yourself at risk. I agree they are people, and being human goes a long way but in this situation calling on agencies designed to help us a lot more than others would do.

Surely that's what the Community Protection Officers are for, in the cases where no crime is actually being committed (other than perhaps technically flytipping).

Get them moved on however you can Police, MP, locals getting together. Needles - what if a kid gets a disease!
Is your area nice or a bit neglected?
What kind of community is there?

Are the bins in a store?
Have spiky bushes all around it so they can't get comfortable.

Just an update: They are still there. Workers came out twice to see them but didn't really do anything. I've spoke to a few of my neighbours this morning who have said this couple have been offered help numerous times by people in the community and services but they keep declining it and selling any items given to them to make them comfortable so they can access drugs. Apparently they were sleeping in the local woods and park until recently when people started to get really unhappy that their children were finding needles and human bodily fluids lying when out on walks. So it stupidly seems they've decided to take up camp on a residential street even closure to children for some reason.

No idea what to do now then if they are just refusing help, surely it's just going to get to the point where services just start ignoring these reports, which leaves the issue of my anxiety continuing to increase about being in such close proximity to them.

Edited to add that I wasn't meant to quote that post sorry.

Maybe you could try writing to your MP? Don't sugarcoat anything...tell them you have very young children and you're terrified to leave your house

I would absolutely call the police. It’s worth a try!

Very difficult situation, I hope they can be incentivised to move on OP.