A charity boss has claimed prisoners of war are “treated better than homeless people in Dundee” after posting shocking footage of conditions facing the city’s rough sleepers.
Gareth Norman, of Night Ministry, said he was “frustrated” by the challenges facing the area’s most vulnerable people after discovering two men who spent Thursday night huddled in a flooded doorway.
Mr Norman said one of the individuals reportedly went to Dundee City Council’s homeless services earlier in the evening but claimed he was turned away and told to “check back” later as there was no help available for him.
Forecasters have warned regions across the UK are set to be battered by Storm Erik high winds, rain and the possibility of snow over the weekend, prompting fears for those forced to sleep rough in torrential conditions.
Shocking footage posted to Night Ministy’s Facebook page, which has now been viewed thousands of times, shows how the two men were left with sodden bedding as they battled to stay warm and dry in Thursday’s downpour.
Mr Norman described the conditions shown in video, which were filmed on the east side of the city, as “totally unacceptable” and called for better communication from the local authority.
Kevin Cordell, convener of the council’s neighbourhood services committee, said he was unable to comment on individual cases but stressed current provisions are being reviewed to ensure they meet the needs of those presenting to services.