'Homeless Spikes' in London is now currently facing a lot of criticism from different people. Supposedly a way to address the rise of homelessness in the city, many have shown their disapproval on the 'homeless spikes' in London. As such, the city's Mayor has been joining calls to remove the 'homeless spikes' in London.
Mayor Boris Johnson of London has addressed the 'homeless spikes' in London on Monday. According to Al Jazeera, Boris has joined people who have been demanding the removal of the 'homeless spikes' in London. According to The Age, Boris labeled the spikes as "ugly, self defeating & stupid".
The 'homeless spikes' in London were first reportedly found outside a luxury apartment building in the city, in the alcove of the apartment block, which is apparently opposite a hostel for homeless people with mental health problems. The studs appear similar to ones used to keep pigeons off of buildings.
As the spikes clearly appeared to be for the termination homeless people staying in the area, a photo of the 'homeless spikes' in London has gone viral. The photo which took the internet by storm over the weekend has been called by many as a "disgraceful" method to prevent homelessness from increasing in the city's streets.
Despite many disagreeing to the act of putting up the 'homeless spikes' in London, many reportedly defended their purpose. Some took to Twitter to justify their arguments.
Spikes outside Southwark housing development to deter rough sleeping are ugly, self defeating & stupid. Developer should remove them ASAP.
— Boris Johnson (@MayorofLondon) June 9, 2014
Seriously London?! Not cool. #antihomelessspikes @MayorofLondon @Shelter @centrepointuk @crisis_uk pic.twitter.com/HilwwUqSci — Harriet Wells (@keichysparkle) June 7, 2014
Am I the only one who sees no problem with the #AntiHomeless thing? How would u like it if some random guy came and slept on your doorstep? — SlayerTheHacker (@SlayerTheHacker) June 9, 2014
4 all the #outrage re #antihomelessspikes in London, are neighbors willing to let homeless sleep in "their" back yards or doorways? — Dorothy Gale (@DorothyGale1958) June 9, 2014
I'm all 4 the #antihomelessspikes also sorry not sorry. No 1 wants random homeless ppl sleeping every where deterring ppl & so forth. — Elsa (@_VictoRihanna_) June 7, 2014
I live in an area where there are drunks/junkies sleeping rough. I feel sorry for them but dont want them in my doorstep #AntiHomelessSpikes — Lady Andrea (@_AndreaUrbanFox) June 7, 2014
Of course, those in opposition of the 'homeless spikes' in London have also taken to Twitter to express their anger even though the developers of the property have not yet confirmed the true use of the spikes.
Shame on all those who are fitting the spikes, totally inhumane #AntiHomelessSpikes — Help 4 Homeless Vets (@H4HVUK) June 8, 2014
This was shared to me earlier. One man's protest - quite powerful. #HomesNotSpikes #homelessspikes pic.twitter.com/OI7zrxZjGD — Alan Thomas (@speak_forth) June 9, 2014
These Anti homeless studs are like the spikes they use to keep pigeons off buildings. The destitute now considered vermin. — David Wells (@dagwells) June 7, 2014
@AnnaRuggiero81 @OwenJones84 @ethicalpioneer :-( An inhumane system requires us to dehumanise one another... pic.twitter.com/kXfrLQYdP4 — paulusthewoodgnome (@woodgnomology) June 7, 2014
Shame on all those who are fitting the spikes, totally inhumane #AntiHomelessSpikes — Help 4 Homeless Vets (@H4HVUK) June 8, 2014
Other residents have also taken to Twitter to note out the root of the problem. They said that it wasn't the 'homeless spikes' in London that's the problem, but homelessness itself.
Don't get angry over #AntiHomelessSpikes , get angry over homelessness. That is the real issue here, the spikes are a smokescreen.
— Sinnesloschen (@CoastalJames) June 9, 2014
I don't think #AntiHomelessSpikes make less people homeless.. So why not spend the money on helping the homeless instead of on spikes? — James Shram (@jamesshram) June 9, 2014
Meanwhile, some people have taken more drastic action passing on a petition calling on the development company to remove the 'homeless spikes' in London. The petition, which has currently attracted worldwide attention, was organized on change.org by a mental health nurse from London named Harriet Wells. According to The Age, the petition addressing the the 'homeless spikes' in London is condemning the spikes calling them an inhumane way of "managing" homelessness. Wells said, "We should be offering practical and emotional support to help the most vulnerable to get back on their feet. [We should not] be sending them the message that they are pests that need to be warded off." The petition reportedly now has more than 19,400 signatures. It seems however, that 'homeless spikes' in London are becoming more frequent in the country. Other people have also shared photos of similar spikes in other areas of London.
#AntiHomelessSpikes Because seeing homeless people might stop nice middle-class shoppers enjoying their hummus @Tesco pic.twitter.com/yw8jH3fzys — Paul Ilett (@Paul_Ilett) June 9, 2014
Have you seen these #antihomelessspikes @realadamdeacon ? pic.twitter.com/sCsTORMahR
— binta rosa (@balancedpanda) June 7, 2014
More anti homeless spikes....so much for community spirit pic.twitter.com/NOoariaEYd — Ethical Pioneer (@ethicalpioneer) June 7, 2014
'Homeless spikes' in London has been suspected as the solution to a rising incidents of "rough sleeping" in the city. The act has reportedly risen to 75 percent over the last three years. According to a charity for single homeless people called Crisis, said there are already over 2,029 people sleeping on the streets during the first quarter of 2014, hence the 'homeless spikes' in London.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader