TOP police officers and a North-East prison governor are spending a night sleeping out to raise awareness about the links between homelessness, crime and reoffending.
They will be joined by business leaders from around the region at the CEO Sleepout at Durham Cathedral, which is in aid of charities supporting the homeless.
Among those planning to spend a night sleeping in the cloisters are Durham Constabulary chief constable Mike Barton, temporary chief superintendent Kerrin Wilson and HMP Durham governor Tim Allen.
Mr Barton said: “Sometimes we under estimate how easy it is for young people with troubled backgrounds to slip into a life below the radar of normal society. Once they’re sleeping rough it’s hard to get a job, an address, benefits. It’s a slippery slope.
“From our perspective in policing, young people who are sleeping rough are putting themselves at significant risk of being preyed upon by dangerous offenders.”
Mr Allen added: “One of our aims is to reduce reoffending and homelessness is a real barrier to that. Anything we can do to give them a house increases their chances of leading law abiding lives.”
Around 40 people have signed up to take part in the event on April 24, including founder of CEO Sleepout Andy Preston.
He said: “Homelessness isn’t just about sleeping in doorways – that’s the tip of the iceberg.
“It’s people who are sleeping at the back of supermarkets or on someone’s sofa for a week before moving onto the next one.
“We’re not pretending to be homeless but we are giving up a night of comfort to help alleviate some people’s hardships.”
One of the charities to benefit is North-East based charity Changing Lives, which has seen a rise in the number of people accessing homelessness services in the last couple of years.
Director of Housing Becky Elton said: “I think people who may have just about been coping with cuts to services and welfare reform have found themselves pushed over the edge into homelessness which is a really sad thing to say.
“We really appreciate people fundraising and one of the big things is helping businesses understand what the issues around homelessness are.”
To support the campaign visit www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/durhamcathedral ceosleepoutdurham2017
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