Seafront shelters continue to be used by rough sleepers – despite a winter night shelter now being in operation in the town.

Housing brief holder Cllr Gill Taylor told a meeting on Tuesday that there was nothing anyone could do to force people into a night shelter and it was not illegal to sleep in a seafront shelter.

She said that council did all it could to help rough sleepers who were among the most vulnerable – but if they chose to refuse help there was nothing more which could be done.

Cllr Kate Wheller said that last Friday there were 12 people who bedded down at the shelter at St Mary’s church but two had chosen to remain on the streets, despite being told about the night shelter.

“They said they didn’t want to go in because it was claustrophobic. We tried but that’s the best we can do. You can’t force people.” she said.

Cllr Taylor said support was offered daily by staff from Julian House and The Lantern Trust but there would probably always be people who did not want support, although she said a lot of help was available if rough sleepers chose to engage.

“We just can’t force people to do what they don’t want to do,” she said.