Homeless man living in Lincolnshire nature reserve for months

Local resident Henry Devlin said: “It smells, stinks. Personally, I’ve not been affected, it doesn’t really bother me, but my daughters won’t take the dog for a walk down there now. It’s intimidating, I suppose.”

Elaine Parkes, who has also lived nearby for more than 30 years, said: “It’s made me feel quite uncomfortable.

“The fire brigade were down last week, or the week before again, to put a fire out.

“I can’t understand why he hasn’t been made to move by the police or whoever, because we’re always told there is no need for people to be homeless.”

Anne White said: “The weather’s changing and it’s getting colder, it must be awful conditions they’re living in.

“I do have sympathy for them, but really, there needs to be somewhere for them to be.”

According to official data, external, there were an estimated 4,793 people sleeping rough on a single night in England in the autumn of 2025, a 96% increase in five years.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham made ending rough sleeping his first pledge when entering Downing Street in July and now says he wants “to get everyone in for Christmas”.

Waltham said: “People can find themselves without a home because of poverty, trauma, abuse and circumstances most of us would struggle to imagine.

“In a tolerant community, the response should be to work together – as many people have already been doing – to support this individual – show a little kindness and help someone get the support they need, not publicly vilify them.

“Homelessness can affect people from every walk of life, including those who have spent their lives serving others and serving their country, protecting the very freedoms some abuse.”

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