StreetLink app allows Londoners to pinpoint rough sleepers on a map to get them shelter

A woman and her daughter stop to talk to Paul, 49, and his dog Ben at Trafalgar Square on December 16, 2017. Paul has been homeless for four months
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Robin de Peyer22 December 2017

Mayor Sadiq Khan has called on Londoners to download an app allowing them to raise the alarm about rough sleepers to try to get them shelter.

The StreetLink website and phone app has been redeveloped in order to try to make it easier to find support for people living on the streets.

The app now enables users to 'drop a pin' on a map showing the precise location of rough sleepers to enable a team to go and find them and offer them help.

Throwing his weight behind the initiative, Mr Khan said: "No one needs to sleep rough in London. If you’re concerned about a rough sleeper, you can report them to StreetLink to ensure they get the right support as quickly as possible. Go to http://www.streetlink.org.uk or download the StreetLink app #HelpRoughSleepers".

The project relies on a small team of staff and volunteers and was first launched five years ago, but has been redeveloped in time for Christmas.

Almost 1,000 people bedded down outside last year, according to official figures.

Mr Khan added: "It’s still shocking that so many people in our city feel they have no choice but to sleep on the streets. We must continue to take action because one person sleeping rough is always one too many."

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