Heaps of sleeping bags, a soiled mattress, discarded bottles and cans of alcohol, and people huddled under bedding - either unconscious or in a state of intoxication.
It's the sad sort of description you would associate with the underside of a motorway bridge, perhaps on the outskirts of a sprawling metropolis.
But this encampment, which has seen gatherings of up to 20 drinkers at a time, is on South Street in Exeter's city centre - overlooking the city's key tourist walking route to the historic quayside and Roman wall.
Exeter City Council and Devon and Cornwall Police have now explained what powers they have, or don't have, to tackle anti social behaviour at the camp and offer those in it the support they need.
When entering to speak with those inside we found two young women heavily intoxicated laying in sleeping bags, referring to the low hanging canopy above them as key reason why they chose the spot.
One managed to explain that they were unable to use the winter night shelter, which has important and strict rules over drink, drugs and whether or not you have a strong link to the city.
At their feet were two men lying completely unconscious. Another man remarked angrily about a "lack of help" and said the owner of the building is "kicking them out." "Any time now," he added.
A Valentines message scrawled in green paint above their heads reads "JF 4 DB."
The encampment is at the bottom of Concord House. Built in the 1960s as an office building, at the turn of the millennium it was transformed into flats and shops. The ground floor retail space has been home to furniture store De Viell, bridal shop Se Marier and, before becoming derelict in March 2016, ice cream parlour Caramello Gelato.
While South Street has always struggled with its identity, being neither as culturally rich as Sidwell Street nor as unorthodox as Fore Street, it's still home to a wide range of popular shops, cafés, restaurants and busy JD Wetherspoon pub.
Speaking with the owner of the Little Orange Café, Shaida Churchley, while concerned for their wellbeing, worries not only about the impact on footfall on the street but also the attraction of rats and other vermin to the rubbish being left to pile up.
The encampment has also shocked two former rough sleepers who wished to remain anonymous. They remarked the camp was "giving the homeless in Exeter a bad name" and that most rough sleepers would normally "clear their rubbish in the morning" before moving on.
A joint statement from Devon & Cornwall Police and Exeter City Centre on the matter has been issued to Devon Live.
Aspokesperson explains: "Police have received four reports of general anti-social behaviour in the past ten days, which relate to squatters on South Street, Exeter. Officers attended all incidents where no offences have been disclosed and no arrests were made. Alcohol has been seized and two people have been dispersed from the area using powers under the Public Space Protection Order.
"Police are liaising with Exeter City Council and the Homeless Outreach teams to successfully engage with those who are gathering in the area.
"It is the responsibility of the landlord/property owner to seek a possession order to have the squatters removed. Police do not have any specific powers to remove squatters. Police will, of course, investigate should there be any criminal offences reported in relation to the premises."
Interestingly, the police force's 'Architectural Liaison Officer' predicted that the over hang "is likely to cause a problem with rough sleepers" when Caramello originally applied for planning permission to use the site. They suggested "moving the windows out, or fix decorative planters" to block off that section of the building.
The criteria to use Exeter's winter night shelter
- You have lived in Exeter for at least six out of the last 12 months
- You have lived in Exeter for at least three out of the last five years
(Time spent in prison doesn't count for the above)
- You are working full-time or are self-employed in the council area
- If any of the following family members have lived in a council area for at least five years: Parents, Adult Children, Brothers and Sisters
But why are so many rough sleepers bedding down in Exeter at the moment, especially when there is a winter shelter provision in place at Magdalen Street car park?
Homelessness in Exeter
Simon Bowkett, CEO of homelessness outreach Co Lab Exeter, put his view of the matter forward in a personal blog.
He wrote: "If – despite Exeter having an emergency winter shelter open for homeless people – you have still encountered a lot of people bedded down on our streets, then chances are you are looking at people that have come to Exeter from surrounding districts, and that are not allowed to stay in Exeter Council-funded provision as a result."
The council responded to that claim in our article on the matter here.
Watch below: Exeter Winter Shelter scheme
