A homeless rough sleeper who took up residence in the Weir Link’s bike shed has finally been removed from the estate and sectioned under the mental health act, after a year long battle by WERA, some residents and Lambeth Council.

The homeless man who has been taken into a psychiatric unit to be assessed, took to sleeping on the estate a year ago when a number of squatters were evicted from neighbouring estate, Limerick Close.

‘Tyrone’ as the man is known to residents, was said to be disturbing a number of residents and their children in the early hours of the morning by shouting and laughing to himself.

With a joint effort from WERA and Lambeth Council’s Community Safety Unit, the rough sleeper who is known to have had a local connection to the area as well as a mental health condition has now been sectioned, giving some residents their first nights peace since his arrival a year ago. He was also known to deposit his human waste in the recycling bins and store rubbish in and around the estate.

Concerns were raised shortly after he started sleeping in the bike shed which is next to The Weir Link Centre and Nursery.

Despite attempts by the local police and that of the authorities, he remained on the estate angering some residents as well as causing sleepless nights. 

Following numerous meetings and discussions amongst Lambeth Council and Lambeth Living as well as a mental health team, an assessment of his mental state has been carried out and Tyrone has now been taken into hospital as so he can potentially get treatment for his illness, much to the delight of those residents living close by.

WERA’s Treasurer, Sue Cranmer, who has also lived with the disturbance caused by the rough sleeper over the past year spoke of her relief and delight that he has now been taken off the estate “Up until yesterday I have been the only resident to log complaints regarding this man. People hear him, but say nothing. His behaviour has been totally unacceptable, when residents like me and their children are being woken up from 4.30am onwards almost every day for the past year it becomes increasingly frustrating, and you lose sympathy with the person and their situation.”

However, Miss Cranmer added “We wish the best for Tyrone, and hope he accepts the help that he needs. I am sure my neighbours will agree at looking forward to a peaceful evening and a restful night!! We are pleased this has finally come to an end. WERA would like to thank Eugenia Anderson from Lambeth Council’s Community Safety Unit, for her hard work to remove Tyrone off the estate and get him the care he needs”

Efforts had been made by Thames Outreach and the local police to encourage Tyrone to go into a hostel but he had refused saying he wanted to be out in the open, however his constant disturbances became too much for some residents. Residents were asked to come forward with information however many failed to respond, despite being affected by his behaviour.