Officials from Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Staffordshire Police have shut down a rough sleeper camp in the grounds of Stoke Minster.

Officers from Staffordshire Police had previously requested people living in the churchyard to move on and on Friday (18 June) the site was cleared.

Staffordshire Police says in the last week there have been reports of anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping along with 'concerns raised' about the 'unsuitable location'.

It comes after rough sleepers were previously moved on from the same site at the end of June, along with camps on Pyenest Street in Shelton and Hartshill Road in Hartshill.

Inspector Rebecca Price said: "We continue to combat anti-social behaviour across the city alongside local partners.

"We have been working closely with partner agencies to ensure vulnerable people are signposted to local services and help people feel safer in their communities."

Cllr Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing, planning, improvement and governance at the city council, said: "Our support services, provided with trusted partners, do a great job in supporting rough sleepers and those facing homelessness.

"But despite those efforts, rough sleeping continues to rise - nationally and locally - due to housing pressures and the cost of living crisis. We are determined to do more.

"We recently undertook a review into homelessness and rough sleeping to help us get an understanding of the current picture of homelessness in the city and this has given us an idea of where to focus our resources in the future.

"Everybody has the right to a decent home, and we are determined to do everything we can to ensure everyone has the support they need to live independently."