Campaigners Say Homeless Man’s Death Should Be Fully Investigated

A former homeless man is calling for more regular counts of rough sleepers in Worcester after an ‘unprecedented rise’ in the number of cases. Mr Suggs is planning a vigil to mark anniversary of rough sleeper Cardon Banfield's death.

Mr Banfield died alone in his tent yards from a riverbank footpath, and he could only be identified by his DNA. It was only the smell of Cardon Banfield's decomposing body which led to him being found after a hotel customer raised the alarm. Mr Banfield of no fixed abode was found near Worcestershire County Cricket Club by a club steward on July 5 2016. 

Concerns have been raised about the plight of rough sleepers. 

An inquest into the 74-year-old’s death was held at Worcestershire Coroner’s Court in Stourport. However local campaigners feel there should be an investigation into the systematic failures by the Local Authority's Housing Department who cut the comprehensive Outreach Team 3 months prior to Cardon's body being discovered. The investigation they say, should ask CCP to justify why their Outreach Team did not find Cardon and probe Maggs Day Centre into revealing why they didn't share information about Cardon when he visited the Centre before his death.

Hugo Sugg, who lives in Worcester city centre has launched a campaign called ‘Somewhere in Summer’ pushing for more regular monitoring of numbers of rough sleepers in the city to provide accurate, up-to-date information about their plight, the state of their health and their access to support services.

Mr. Suggs’ goal he said is 'to raise awareness about youth homelessness and change attitudes'.

Information courtesy of Worcester News