Bournemouth's 'anti-homeless' bench bars to be removed

Bournemouth Council has said it will remove metal bars from benches after receiving a backlash from tens of thousands of people.

British rapper Professor Green led the protest against the bars, describing them as “inhumane” and posting a video on social media showing his friend removing one from a public bench in the city.

The council initially said it had fitted the devices to stop people lying on the benches and preventing others from sitting down. But it has now said it will remove them in the next few days, in the light of “the depth of feeling” over the issue.

More than 19,500 people signed an online petition calling for the bars to be taken off, while housing charity Crisis said the benches were a “sad indictment” and failed to “address the root causes of rough sleeping”.

Professor Green travelled to Bournemouth and filmed his friend, the designer Max McMurdo, unscrew the bolts and remove the metal bar. They replaced it with a larger one, over which he pulled a tarpaulin, transforming the bench into what he described as a “homeless shelter”.

On Monday, Bournemouth council posted a tweet saying: “After listening to feedback, we've revised our decision on the issue of the bars on the benches in the town centre.”

Councillor Robert Lawton said in a statement: “The decision last summer to install the bars... was taken in response to many complaints about people lying on them throughout the day, meaning that wider members of the community were unable to use them to sit on.

“However we have listened to the extensive feedback over the last week and in light of the depth of feeling, have today reviewed that decision and agreed to have the bars removed.”

Responding to the news, Professor Green wrote on Instagram: “Well done all involved @stuartsemple @maxreestore @richiecarr and the wonderful people who signed the petition!

“A small example of how a little bit of togetherness can bring about change - albeit a small one. Don’t let them have you believe you can’t make a difference - that’s what they rely on!”

Bournemouth council said it receives almost 1,000 enquiries a month from people stating they are worried about housing or homelessness, and that it response includes rent deposit loans, teams of housing support workers in the community and mental health support.

Mr Lawton added: “The recent media serves as a reminder that the issues of homelessness sadly continue to increase. We have always remained committed across our many teams in Bournemouth to prevent homelessness for people and will continue to do so going forward.”