ROUGH sleepers have pitched up in tents in a beauty spot, sparking calls for “compassion and patience” by Billericay’s street pastors.

Two tents have been in Lake Meadows, next to the café, since Sunday and the homeless people living inside have been visited by Basildon Council, police and street pastors since.

The Billericay Street Pastors, a Christian community group who provide support for vulnerable people, have urged residents to show compassion to the occupants who have faced criticism on social media.

Phil Turner, Billericay East Tory councillor, has called the park “the jewel in the crown of Billericay” and stated the council will do what it can to help find “somewhere more suitable” for the homeless people.

Phil Norton, chair of the Billericay Street Pastors, said: “What we are trying to get people to understand is why people are like this and to not make sweeping statements and judgements.

“Everyone in a situation like this has a story and they do have a story, we have tried to reach out to them to ask their circumstances and suggest what can work as a better long-term option.

“After being notified by the community, we went to find the people living there and asked them if it was temporary.

“We found more details, and they are two people that know each other, are friends and one has a cat which poses further challenges.

“We are trying to care for them, we are making sure they have food and decent sleeping bags to make the ordeal more comfortable and we will touch base with them and refer them to a local foodbank.”

Mr Turner added that the council will work to find a resolution.

He said: “We have to find out what the issue is, they cannot stay there. It is quite a nice area and where they have set up is just not the right place.

“People will be shocked and scared of a development where you are seeing people camp in a public area, which many consider the jewel in the crown of Billericay.

“People are unnerved by it, at the moment, the reason the council is involved is to find out what the issue is and try to help them.

“There are issues behind this and we need to show compassion and find a resolution.

“We ask people to be patient while the authorities are involved.”