THE decision to shut down a homeless encampment has been slammed by Worcester News readers as “vile.”

Police executed a dispersal order on the riverside camp – which sat off New Road on Bromwich Parade – on Monday morning, and there are now reports its former members are now sleeping rough in the city centre.

Sergeant Carl Jones said there had been reports of a stabbing at the camp last week and rumours rough sleepers were arming themselves.

Writing on Facebook, Suzanne Jeffries said: “I will never welcome such vile treatment of the most vulnerable members of our society.

“Many are suffering from mental health issues, drug addiction and many of whom have suffered traumas in their life that most of us wouldn’t be able to comprehend.”

City and county councillor Alan Amos had praised the decision to clear the ‘tent town’ – claiming he had received “a number of complaints from residents about this encampment.”

“I know the vast majority of law-abiding people will be welcoming its removal,” he added.

Amy Lee Dowd refuted the councillor’s claims that the majority of residents were in favour of the removal.

She said: “Generally, everyone is actually disgusted at how this has been handled and how they have been treated.”

Val Watson said: “Just because something is removed from sight doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.”

However, some commenters praised the removal, including Chris Walker, who claimed there was often drug paraphernalia – such as needles and syringes – lying around the camp.

Similarly, Becky Jeynes said she stopped using the path as she “always felt intimidated” – adding: “why should I be afraid to walk along our beautiful river?”

Jonathan Sutton, of St Paul’s Hostel, said: “There’s more to it than homelessness, but it should motivate us to re-double our efforts and find a solution for this.

“There are complicated stories – it’s more than about what the public just see.”