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Foxtons to remove 'anti-homeless' spikes after outcry Foxtons to remove 'anti-homeless' spikes after outcry
(35 minutes later)
Estate agent Foxtons has said it will remove metal spikes from outside a branch in the City after a petition against them attracted more than 21,000 signatures.Estate agent Foxtons has said it will remove metal spikes from outside a branch in the City after a petition against them attracted more than 21,000 signatures.
The petition called on the agent to “Remove the anti-homeless spikes outside your Holborn store”, describing them as inhumane.The petition called on the agent to “Remove the anti-homeless spikes outside your Holborn store”, describing them as inhumane.
A year ago, the installation of metal studs outside luxury flats in London caused uproar and a led to a similar, successful petition against spikes outside a Tesco store.A year ago, the installation of metal studs outside luxury flats in London caused uproar and a led to a similar, successful petition against spikes outside a Tesco store.
This type of so-called “defensive architecture”, which has been criticised by homelessness charities and campaigners, has spread outside London too.This type of so-called “defensive architecture”, which has been criticised by homelessness charities and campaigners, has spread outside London too.
The petition against Foxtons was tweeted by the Green party leader, Natalie Bennett, and Labour London assembly member, Tom Copley, who said the picture of the spike “sums up everything that’s wrong with housing in London in one image”.The petition against Foxtons was tweeted by the Green party leader, Natalie Bennett, and Labour London assembly member, Tom Copley, who said the picture of the spike “sums up everything that’s wrong with housing in London in one image”.
In the space of several hours it had attracted widespread support and the agency said it would be taking action.In the space of several hours it had attracted widespread support and the agency said it would be taking action.
In a statement Foxtons said: “We understand that the studs outside our West End office have raised some concerns within the community and we will be removing them shortly.”In a statement Foxtons said: “We understand that the studs outside our West End office have raised some concerns within the community and we will be removing them shortly.”
It said spikes were also in place at a second branch, but these would be removed too.It said spikes were also in place at a second branch, but these would be removed too.
The petition was set up by Zahira Patel, who recently campaigned against Hackney council’s decision to include rough sleepers in an anti-social behaviour order that charities had warned risked criminalising the homeless.The petition was set up by Zahira Patel, who recently campaigned against Hackney council’s decision to include rough sleepers in an anti-social behaviour order that charities had warned risked criminalising the homeless.
Explaining why she had set up the Foxton’s petition, she said: “I think such spikes are part of a larger hostile atmosphere which increasingly treats homeless people as a nuisance rather than as vulnerable human brings. Patel said: “I’m glad Foxtons responded so quickly and I hope we can pressure the government to do more to tackle the root causes of homelessness and the growing housing crisis in London.”
Explaining why she had set up the Foxton’s petition, she said: “I think such spikes are part of a larger hostile atmosphere which increasingly treats homeless people as a nuisance rather than as vulnerable human beings.
“Sleeping on the streets is already hard enough. We should be doing more to help homeless people rather than pushing them out of the way and pretending they’re not there.”“Sleeping on the streets is already hard enough. We should be doing more to help homeless people rather than pushing them out of the way and pretending they’re not there.”