ROUGH sleepers who have set up camp near the Thames in Oxford now face another enemy – the weather.

Tents surrounding Willow Walk off Osney Mead Industrial Estate are blocked off by a lake that has appeared at the site.

Water leading to the campsites is now at least two feet deep.

Oxford City Council funds an outreach service which offers advice and help to those sleeping rough in Oxford.

David Walton, regional head at St Mungo’s, said: “Our priority is helping people sleeping rough quickly and supporting them with housing, health and other services that can help them move off the streets for good.

“Where people don’t have a local connection, we will look to support them to return home.

“Rough sleeping is harmful and dangerous. People can end up doing it because of traumas and breakdowns in relationships.”

Homelessness in Oxford has soared by 50 per cent in a year with latest figures showing 39 people are now sleeping rough.

The council’s annual street count in November 2015 found 13 more people living on the streets than last year.