A FORMER homeless man has launched a campaign for 'justice' after a rough sleeper was found dead in his tent in Worcester.

But experts in Worcester say they have already redoubled their efforts in the wake of Cardon Banfield's death and continue to prevent hundreds of people from the city ending up homeless or sleeping rough.

Campaigner Hugo Sugg, aged 26, of Worcester city centre, has launched a campaign called 'Justice for Cardon' following the death of Cardon Banfield in a tent near Worcestershire County Cricket Club in the summer.

As previously reported Mr Banfield, who was 74, was found dead in his tent by a steward from the cricket club on July 5 but, judging from the condition of his body, would have died some time earlier.

Worcestershire coroner Geraint Williams recorded an open conclusion at Mr Banfield's inquest last week. His body was so badly decomposed he could only be identified by DNA evidence and had no next of kin.

Mr Sugg said: "What happened is not good enough. It's a broken system unless rough sleepers stay in one place. I understand that people die but that isn't the issue. The biggest issue was that he died when there was a service that was meant to support him.

"Lessons must be learnt. There is no excuse for what happened, absolutely no excuse. I'm not going to let this go because otherwise Cardon will have died in vain."

Mr Sugg wants to see organisations that provide support to rough sleepers, including Worcester City Council, St Paul's Hostel, Maggs Day Centre and CCP working more closely together to avoid 'duplication'.

However, Worcester City Council, which is ultimately responsible for tackling homelessness in Worcester, says it has upped its efforts to help rough sleepers following Mr Banfield's death and has already prevented 249 city households from becoming homeless in just three months.

Ben Bradley, the council's community partnership co-ordinator, said: "No one can fail to be moved by the tragic death of Mr Banfield.

"His passing has served to double our determination to prevent anyone from having to sleep rough in our city.

"Homelessness and the reasons for it are highly complex and it is not a challenge the city council can meet on its own. We work closely with our partners to ensure support is in place for those who need it."

In the six months from April, CCP – working across the county – helped ensure 80 people did not return to the streets after sleeping rough for one night as part of the council’s No Second Night Out policy.

CCP also helped 103 people at risk of becoming homeless to remain in their homes over those six months through providing advice and practical support.

Worcester's MP Robin Walker said: "It's very important that we make sure, between some of the fantastic charities and organisations we have and our statutory bodies like the council, that we are doing everything we can to reach out to people and to make sure they're provided with help."

Mr Walker also says it is important that a full investigation is carried out into Mr Banfield's death.

The council and its partners are currently looking at how they all work together as part of the Worcestershire Strategic Housing Partnership.

Anyone who is concerned about someone sleeping rough in the city can report them through the Streetlink service on 0300 500 0914 or at streetlink.org.uk.

Mr Sugg will be dedicating a keynote speech about homelessness at the Worcester Arts Workshop on November 8 to Mr Banfield.