HOMELESS people have created their own camp after shunning Oxford’s Night Shelter, we can reveal.

Four people have pitched tents in a field next to the Bulstake Stream in Osney to avoid the city centre facility.

The rough sleepers said they would rather brave the elements than stay at the Luther Street shelter, which they claim is rife with bullying and the temptation of drink and drugs.

But the shelter’s director has rejected the claims of fighting and said staff made every effort to stop drug use on the premises.

Pat Kelly, 46, originally from Limerick, Ireland, said he had been living in a tent behind the Osney Mead Industrial Estate on and off for two-and-a-half years.

He said: “I have nowhere else to go. It was either this or go to the hardware shop and get a rope and make a noose for myself.

“I have tried to change my situation but there is no work about in the construction industry.

“I wouldn’t go into the Night Shelter. You can’t get to sleep there. I have tried it but it is a waste of time.”

Mr Kelly lives with Shamen Hazzard, 35, Dawn Lovell, 43, another man called Les, plus eight dogs, at the commune.

The four share meals cooked over a campfire, and use showers and toilets in the Gap Project building in Park End Street. Mr Kelly said: “I should think anyone who saw us would look the other way. They’d be afraid of catching something.

“But we look out for each other — we make sure nobody’s dead in the morning.”

In July 2007, people living in the so-called Tent City — a 15-tent camp within 200 yards of the new campsite — were evicted after complaints of intimidation.

Ms Lovell said: “I only stayed on Tent City for two days because of the noise. I don’t like the Night Shelter because of all the fighting and the drugs and you can’t get to sleep.

“We are all happy here. It’s a bit cold in winter walking home at night. This is a place we can get off the drink. At the Night Shelter all the other homeless keep saying have a drink, and if you don’t you are not part of the crowd.”

Methadone user Ms Hazzard said she had been on the site on and off for 10 years.

She said: “Most of the time it’s safe. We are quite happy with it just being us here.”

Lesley Dewhurst, director of the 56-bed Night Shelter, said: “Things like bullying and fighting just don’t happen in the building.

“We make every effort we can to prevent drug dealing or using in the building.”

Mr Kelly said a farmer who owned the land was happy for them to use the area — but we could find no registered owner for the area through the Land Registry.