A Nottingham city cemetery is to close temporarily while staff seek to move on a group of people who have set up camp in the grounds.
Rock Cemetery, on the corner of Mansfield Road and Forest Road East in the city centre, will shut its doors on Monday 12 August for an initial two-week period. The site will remain open by appointment for anyone who needs to attend.
A small encampment of people moved into the cemetery grounds around three months ago with tents and there have been a number of anti-social behaviour issues, including drug paraphernalia, litter and human excrement left on the ground.
Staff have spent several weeks trying to encourage the group to move on, including offering Street Outreach support, but they remain on site. A number of complaints have been made to Nottingham City Council from visitors who feel intimidated by their presence.
A Nottingham City Council spokesperson said: “We believe that the people currently camping at Rock Cemetery are homeless and we’ve tried on numerous occasions to explain to them that they need to move on, while highlighting local support services.
“Cemeteries are public spaces for reflection and not at all suitable for people to be living. There have also been complaints recently and staff are repeatedly having to clear away litter and human waste, as well as there being clear evidence of drug-taking.
“We have a duty to make sure the site is clean and safe for those who want to visit and pay their respects to loved ones, so have taken the difficult decision to temporarily close while we begin the formal process of getting the group to leave the site.
“The council will ensure that everyone is offered advice and support to help them find a permanent place to live.
“We’ll aim to deal with this matter as quickly as possible and apologise for any inconvenience caused in the meantime.”
The council’s Street Outreach Team has been offering support for housing and other services, but this has been declined on several occasions. This offer of help will continue for anyone who wants it.
There has also been a multi-agency approach to look at the wider support needs of those sleeping rough within the cemetery as the issues people face are rarely related to housing alone.
If anyone sees someone rough-sleeping in Nottingham, they can contact Street Outreach on 0800 066 5356.
