A PROBE into the number of rough-sleepers in Carlisle has been launched amid claims the scale of the issue may have been underestimated.

The number of people sleeping on the streets in the district is “officially zero” according to figures discussed at a recent county council local committee meeting.

But members of the panel have now questioned this evidence amid claims vulnerable people are bedding down for the night on Hardwicke Circus – the roundabout next to the city council’s headquarters.

The top tier authority’s committee want to invite representatives from the city to discuss the scale of the issue.

Councillor Val Tarbitt, Armed Forces Champion, has also pledged to look into the problem personally as she gave an update on the plight of ex-service personnel in the city.

The Ministry of Defence has admitted for the first time this month that up to four per cent of Britain’s estimated 320,000 homeless people are ex-forces.

Charities have described this as a record high amid concerns the problem is getting worse every year, with many battling alcohol problems or post-traumatic stress disorder.

She said: “I have met a veteran who runs a breakfast club and a supper club at the Gone to the Dogs Café in Carlisle. He gets all the food given to him by shops and various things.

“One of the issues that we might want to think about is that there is kind of a feeling that there are no rough sleepers in Carlisle.

“Now the people who go to the café will actually take their sleeping bags they often get from the café and will go and sleep in Hardwicke Circus. And I think that’s a distressing signal to the city. I am keeping a watchful eye on that.

“I go to the café to see if that really is happening. I’m not going to go and put myself at risk at Hardwicke Circus, but I will know if people are sleeping rough or they are homeless.

“Because we are told at city level that there are no people sleeping rough in Carlisle.”

Councillor Lawrence Fisher added: “I’m surprised by the statement from Carlisle City Council that there are no rough sleepers because I regularly report those people who sleep at the New Waterton Hall on some benches that are outside. They were there this morning.”

He also urged members not to take claims there are no rough sleepers on the streets of Carlisle as “Gospel”.

A Carlisle City Council spokeswoman said that the authority monitor and report on homeless and rough sleeping on a regular basis.

She added: “These figures may alter depending on individual circumstances and if there is a report of rough-sleeper we will offer assistance.

“We work closely with local partner agencies and are committed to assisting all vulnerable people within the district who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

“The prevention of homelessness is a priority and we will do all we can to identify households experiencing difficulties at the earliest possible opportunity.”