COUNCIL officers have been “moving on” homeless people and continued to monitor at least 15 more locations.

The latest weekly briefing to councillors described clearing three encampments with 15 remaining at locations including parks, promenade shelters and an “air vent”.

Brighton and Hove City Council moved homeless people on from three locations last week following concerns about antisocial behaviour and the welfare of those staying in the tents.

Several “very vulnerable” people were accommodated after the evictions at Barrack Yard, Duke Street and Hove Lawns near the Pitch and Putt, Peace Statue and Courtenay Gate areas last week.

However, the email sent on Monday stated encampments still existed at a further 15 locations and council officers had “no planned action” to move them on this week

These include an air vent at King Alfred in Hove, Duke’s Mound, East Brighton Park, promenade shelters, Madeira Drive, London Road, and Queens Park.

Those at the camps are being offered support by the council’s outreach services St Mungo’s and Equinox.

In the email, seen by The Argus, a council official said: “The decision to move on the tents was carefully considered.

“We looked at the individual needs of the people sleeping rough and the impact of the loss of community space as well as wider issues around antisocial behaviour, wellbeing and safety for all involved.

“At present, following the action last week, we have no planned action for the week ahead.

“All occupants of tents are being offered support by St Mungo’s Street Outreach Services and Equinox Outreach.”

The council email states officers cannot take action against encampments on private land.

Following the email Andy Winter, boss of Brighton Housing Trust, said: “The city council needs to be very careful about the mixed messages it might be giving which might encourage people to come to Brighton and Hove believing that their rough sleeping situation might be resolved.

“We know there’s already a major problem with rough sleeping in the city and evidence I see on a daily basis outside the Coop in London Road suggests to me that tents and similar encampments are part of the problem and certainly not part of the solution.”

The council meets with Sussex Police, St Mungo’s and Equinox each Thursday to discuss the issue of rough sleeping in the city.

Concerns have been raised by businesses and residents about antisocial behaviour from those inside tents across the city. It is understood that some individuals inside encampments are turning down support and even accommodation.

Welfare has been highlighted as a concern by Brighton Business Improvement District (BID) ambassadors who say that 50 per cent of their time is spent engaging with the homeless.

Between October and December last year, BID say they saved the lives of three people who had overdosed on the drug spice.