Shoppers say they are too scared to walk through London Street due to a group of homeless people meeting up daily to drink outside the Tesco Express.

London Street, Norwich (Image: Emily-Rose Thompson)

Others says they avoid walking through St Stephens Street underpass because it stinks of urine while sleeping bags, tents and litter are constantly strewed across the floor.

They say several tents have been in Chapelfield Gardens "for months" and they desperately want the city-wide problem fixed.

Tents in Chapelfield Gardens (Image: Sonya Duncan)

A group of homeless people causing months of anti-social behaviour along the River Wensum in NR3 have refused help from Norwich City Council.

Eight tents are pitched up neighbours say (Image: Submitted)

This has led to calls for homelessness charities, Norfolk Police and the council to solve the problem.

'HOMELESSNESS IS RIFE IN THE CITY'

Shoppers in the city centre say a group of "noisy" rough sleepers have been meeting up in the recent weeks in London Street and "constantly shout" at children who approach the shops nearby.

A person who did not wish to be named said: "Homelessness is rife in the city at the moment.

Inside the underpass (Image: Denise Bradley)

"It has been bad in London Street over the last few months.

"People drink daily there and do drugs.

"In the evenings, I have seen them congregate in big groups."

Tina Firman, who lives in Sprowston, said: "The problem has become much worse in the city and I have started to see more rough sleepers in Chapelfield Park.

"They have been there for about a month.

Tina Firman (Image: Emily-Rose Thompson)

"Sometimes I see the police officers stopping to see if they are okay and the council tidying up the litter the homeless people leave in London Street.

"But I think there needs to be more communication between the council and the police to get them help."

Christine Roy, who lives in Hoveton, said: "I think they congregate outside Sostrene Green in London Street as it is sheltered there.

"I never intrude on them and they keep themselves to themselves.

"I grew up in Norwich and I never remember seeing people sleep rough when I was younger."

Norwich City Council officers make "daily visits to those sleeping rough across the city".

A spokesman from the council said: "People who are visibly homeless often have complex needs.

Tents in Chapelfield Gardens (Image: Sonya Duncan)

"We take a collaborative partnership-based approach to address the issues that have led to them sleeping on the streets.”

Pathways Norwich, a scheme supported by Norwich City Council and Norfolk County Council, brings together the work of seven partners, including St Martins and YMCA, helping house rough sleepers.

Dr Jan Sheldon, CEO for St Martins, added: "For any person to feel that they have no other option but to sleep rough is a personal tragedy.

Jan Sheldon, CEO of St Martins (Image: Sonya Duncan)

"It can take multiple times engaging with a person before they accept support and that support needs to be right for them."

A count of rough sleepers in Norwich is completed during one night of the year annually.

The most recent data collected in November 2025 shows that there was a 25pc decrease from the previous year, from 12 people down to nine.

Dr Sheldon said this is a "snapshot" piece of collected on one night of the year and can "only be used to analyse trends year-on-year".

Mike Stonard, leader of the Labour group at City Hall, added "the annual count of rough sleepers does not reflect these weekly and monthly changes".

He said: "Thankfully, the number of rough sleepers in Norwich is generally low but the council is not complacent and works hard to prevent people falling into that situation.

Mike Stonard, Leader of the Labour group at City Hall (Image: Archant)

"When people unfortunately find themselves on the street, we provide outreach support and ensure other assistance is available, such as temporary and supported accommodation.

"Some people who sleep rough choose to not engage with us or to accept support.

"In these instances, we monitor their well-being, try to engage with them, and continue to offer support in the hope of moving them into safe accommodation."

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