HOMELESS people are pleading with beachgoers to stop urinating near their tents.

Rough sleepers near Black Rock on Brighton seafront have put up a sign telling people that their encampment is “not a toilet”.

This comes after people using the beach started urinating and defecating near their belongings, campaigner Jim Deans said.

The Sussex Homeless Support founder, who runs two accommodation buses – now closed because of the pandemic – has blamed the lack of public toilets in the area.

He said: “How would you like someone to come into your living room and urinate?

“They have been having arguments with people after telling them to stop doing it, but they’re just told to get stuffed.

“The council is encouraging people to come to the area and it’s busier than it’s been in 50 years.”

Mr Deans said those at the encampment have asked him for a mop and a bucket to clear up human excrement.

A sign hung up on railings outside the encampment states “Please respect our home. This is not a public toilet.”

In late March, central Government demanded all councils must provide accommodation for every rough sleeper and gave the authorities money to achieve it.

Brighton and Hove City Council housed its rough sleepers, reported to number about 200, by brokering deals with hotels and guest houses who were unable to accommodate guests following the announcement of lockdown measures.

The council expects that by the end of June this would have cost £2.4 million, which equates to £12,000 per person.

Asked why these rough-sleepers were not in the provided accommodation, Mr Deans said: “Sometimes the accommodation offer is not suitable for the person.

“For example, if they have no drink or drug issues, they do not want to mix with people who have.”

The council said that people are in private rooms with en-suite facilities with meals provided and not in shared space like a night shelter or hostel.

Councillor Gill Williams, chairwoman of housing, said: “Sadly, we are aware that some people are still sleeping rough in the city.

“A few people have refused accommodation, some have left the Covid-19 accommodation they were in and some are people newly arrived in the city.

“There are also some people out and about who are still staying in the accommodation. The Covid-19 emergency accommodation is still available for everyone who needs it but we cannot force anyone to move into it.”