Anti-homeless spikes removed thanks to marvellous reaction from Mancunian mum

It’s the sense of civic pride that makes Manchester such a special place to live and work.

That’s one of the reasons why Prestwich born Jennie Platt had a Manchester bee in her bonnet after spikes were installed around the city to stop rough sleepers from getting their head down.

“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.”
~Dalai Lama

“I Love Manchester. This is not the Mancunian way, it’s not how we treat people,” she said.

Instead of just moaning about it, she put her money where her mouth is by placing colourful cushions and pillows over the spikes – even a spread of sandwiches and wraps.

She placed them in protest to the way the homeless were being treated. “They’re people, not pigeons,” she cried.

After watching her sons play rugby on Sunday morning, the boys recruited a couple of their friends and they went shopping to buy soft furnishings and sandwiches, which they left outside the targeted building.

She continued: “A few people were watching us and wondering what the heck we were doing, but there were quite a few homeless people who saw it and said they were going to come back there later. It’s not doing anyone any harm them being there.”

Manchester City Council condemned the “demeaning” devices and vowed to meet the owners of the building to try get them removed.

We officially would say we have had zero involvement in the spikes. This decision was made fully without our consent or involvement

— Pall Mall Medical (@pallmallmedical) January 28, 2017

Just 48 hours later, with thanks to such a heart-warming public outcry, the spikes have been removed.

According to Homeless Link, there was an increase of 16% from 2015 to 2016, while since 2010 rough sleeping estimates show an increase of 134%.