Paddyann, that is uncalled for! Your virtue-signalling makes you cruel!
When does realism cut in?
People on the streets have become a problem, like it or not, and their anti-social habits and lack of conformity mean they won't fit in, even when offered help. They are damaged people and I have sympathy - BUT - I also have sympathy for shoppers, shop-keepers, local residents, tourists - all these people putting money into Bristol's coffers. They too have a right not to be approached and shopkeepers have a right to ensure their premises and the streets outside look inviting.
We have to have this discussion, not shy away from it.
Rough sleepers have taken an alleyway which is a shortcut to both the station and car park in a town not far from where I live. That alleyway has to be cleaned of faeces and urine, used needles, condoms, beer bottles and cans and a variety of bags by council cleaners on a regular basis and the police have been criticised for making arrests. People have to go out of their way to get to the station or the car park on their way back from the shops or face abuse and walk through the mess. How can you ever justify this when many users are refusing help?
There are two sides to every story. We have to look at both in the interests of fairness.