Parents' fury after homeless camp set up outside Nottingham primary school

Furious parents say they fear for their children’s safety after a homeless camp littered with needles was set up outside a primary school.

A makeshift camp made up of sheets, shopping trolleys and tents appeared just yards away from Round Hill Primary School in Beeston, Nottingham.

Parents have expressed concern after seeing needles, bloody tissues and human excrement on the pavement while walking their kids to school.

The homeless camp also partially blocks the entrance of Beeston Library as two large red road barriers have been placed in front of the beds.

Alarmingly, some parents have seen children’s cuddly toys and even nappies in the squalid encampment which was set up around six months ago.

Mum Jessica Baker said she walks her six-year-old son passed the camp every day.

She said: "I understand that people live like this and have nowhere else to go and we are sympathetic but outside a school is not the right place.

"There are cuddly toys in there. Just what happens if a child runs up to them and put themselves in danger?”

Another mum said: “It’s appalling that we should be made to walk through needles and human faeces just to take our children to school.

“These people need help but I lose sympathy when drugs are involved.

“Our kids and community need to be protected while these people get proper help to make sure they are not a danger to themselves of anyone else.

"I've seen toys on the ground near where people are sleeping. Are there children in there too? It's really worrying but no one is actually doing anything about it."

Mum Helen Wilson said: "I first noticed a tent outside the library about six months ago.

“Then there were two tents and the camp just grew from there. It is attracting littering in the area.

"This is a difficult situation and nobody wants to deal with it, but we have to put our children's safety first."

Broxtowe Borough Council said it is powerless to remove the camp because the land is owned by Nottinghamshire County Council.

The county council insisted it was “monitoring” the camp and said it would take “appropriate action”.

Nottinghamshire-based homelessness charity Framework believes two people live full-time in the camp.

A spokesperson said: "Anyone who has been driven to sleep rough is clearly in need of help, however these particular individuals would evidently prefer to be left alone."

Round Hill Primary School is rated 'good' by Ofsted and caters for 420 pupils aged 4-7.

In a statement, they said: "We are aware that those sleeping rough are vulnerable individuals facing difficult circumstances, and we believe they deserve support.

"However, we must acknowledge the impact this situation is having on our children. There are growing concerns about hygiene and safeguarding.

"We urge those in positions of authority to take effective action to find a solution that supports both the individuals affected by homelessness and the wellbeing of our school community."

A Nottinghamshire County Council spokesperson said: “The county council has been closely monitoring the situation with our partners and relevant authorities, including the police and Inspire which manages our library service.

“Inspire will continue to monitor the situation and work with partner organisations, including the council, as required. The encampment will be dismantled, and the area cleared as soon as we are satisfied that no one is relying on the tents for shelter.”