Police respond to incidents at a Peterborough hotel used to house homeless

At the beginning of the pandemic (March 26), the government issued an order that required local authorities to find accommodation for rough sleepers within 24 hours.

In Peterborough, this meant that 25 rough sleepers were moved into the Holiday Inn Express in Orton within a day, with more than 80 subsequently moved to the hotel on a temporary basis.

Most of these people were then found places in three other hotels across the city.

The move to house rough sleepers at the hotel during the coronavirus lockdown gave many the support they need but at the time police also confirmed that, between March 13 and the beginning of May, they had been called to the Holiday Inn 13 times to deal with a series of ‘low level anti-social behaviour complaints’.

Incidents at Peterborough hotel used to house homeless

One of the hotels some of these residents were then moved to is The Queensgate Hotel on Fletton Avenue.

The Peterborough Telegraph has been contacted by residents in the area with concerns about anti-social behaviour.

Residents say that this started off mostly as noise from gatherings but then escalated to alleged trespassing and thefts from cars, leaving many fearing for theirs and their families safety.

One resident said: “I want to make it clear that this is just a small number of people and I know many people at the hotel are just trying to get on with their lives as best they can but these few are making our lives a misery.”

Another added: “This situation has really started to affect me. I’ve never really had to think about my mental health before but since this anti-social behaviour started it has been really tough.”

Police have confirmed that they have received ten reports of incidents in the areas surrounding the Queensgate Hotel in the last two months and they have been working alongside the council to conduct patrols in the area.

A Police spokesperson said: “We have received reports of ten incidents in the Queensgate Hotel or surrounding vicinity in the last two months. These have included concerns for welfare, two incidents of violence and rowdy or nuisance behaviour.

“We regularly conduct patrols in the city centre and work with partners including the local authority about areas of concern.”

A Peterborough City Council spokesperson, added: “There have been some isolated incidents of low level anti-social behaviour in the vicinity of Queensgate Hotel.

“We have been working with our Safer Off The Streets partners and the police to minimise the impact of this on local residents. This includes a security presence and enhanced support for the rough sleepers themselves.

“Our plan is to move the rough sleepers to longer term accommodation in sites across the city as soon as we are able.”