It used to be rare in Brentford, but the town has seen a proliferation of people sleeping rough.

At least two rough sleepers have been spotted – one outside Barclays Bank in Brentford High Street and another regularly seen near Morrisons.

Christina Jennings, a resident in Brentford for more than 25 years, said: "You just never used to see this in Brentford.

"It's such a small town centre and we just never used to get people in shop doorways.

"There have always been one or two in Chiswick and in Hammersmith and in central London but in all the time I've lived in Brentford I have never seen people sleeping on the streets until the last couple of years.

"It's heart-breaking that people end up in this situation."

Since March, Hounslow Council says it has received more than 8,000 calls to its Homelessness Service.

It's believed that a surge in unemployment in the area as a result of the pandemic has fuelled the increase in homelessness.

The council says it wants local people to report cases of rough sleeping – not so that it can move them on, but so it can help them and point them towards various support services.

You can do this by going to Streetlink or call 0300 500 0914