Capital’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, urged to refocus efforts and resources to reverse trend
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The number of young people sleeping rough in London has risen to a record high, data shows, as charities say more provision is needed because lockdown restrictions mean those who usually stay off the streets by staying with friends are unable to do so.
According to the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (Chain) thenumber of 16 to 25-year-olds sleeping rough has risen to 368 in 2020 from 250 in the same period last year, an increase of 47%. Young people now make up 11% of the capital’s rough sleepers, a figure charities described as “a historic high”, well above the usually stable 8%.
