A charter to end rough sleeping on the streets of London has been set up for the New Year in a bid to end the worsening homelessness crisis.

An estimated 10,000 people were rough sleeping in the past 12 months, according to London Councils, a coalition of local authorities.

The charter enshrines principles and actions needed to end the crisis, working with homelessness charities and the GLA.

London Councils' executive member for housing, Cllr Darren Rodwell, the leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, has signed up to the charter on behalf of his local authority.

“Sleeping on the streets is dangerous and dehumanising,” Cllr Rodwell said. “It is the most visible manifestation of a broken housing system, with homelessness pressures worsening in the capital.

“This charter is London’s commitment to end rough sleeping for good.”

The 32 London boroughs are responsible for helping rough sleepers get off the streets. But they face financial pressure and are calling for government help to get through the crisis.