Selfridges Slammed As 'Disgustingly Outrageous' For Move Against Homeless

There are some outrageously "disgusting" spikes outside UK's biggest department store, Selfridges. Guess what these spikes are meant to do?

They are "anti-homeless" metal spikes in Manchester, which make it impossible for homeless people to sleep outside the department, according to rt.com.

Manchester residents confirm that destitute and homeless people "used to sleep" in that region, where the spikes have been installed. They have triggered a public debate.

But this is not the first time. Last June, the metal spikes stirred the social media when placed outside high-tech luxury apartments in London.

Due to public outrage, London Mayor Boris Johnson gave an order to remove the "ugly, self-defeating and stupid" spikes outside the London apartments. There were massive protests and a petition getting 130,000 signatures to affirm the people's protests.

And now the attention has shifted to Manchester, where furious campaigners launch another petition against the "intimidating" spikes just outside the Manchester department store.

The chief executive of national homeless charity Crisis Jon Sparkes said the homeless "deserve better", according to theindependent.co.uk.

He added: "It is a scandal that anyone should sleep on the streets in 21st century Britain. Yet, in recent years, rough sleeping has risen sharply across the country. Behind these numbers are real people struggling with a lack of housing, cuts to benefits and cuts to homelessness services to help them rebuild their lives."

Academic Cathy Urquhart, who had started change.org petition, said: "We should be looking after the homeless, not demonizing and scapegoating them." She agreed in Manchester Evening News she was "shocked" when she saw the spikes.

A petition signatory, Richie Young from Blackpool, commented on the page: "Being homeless is not a crime. Damn this Government of the Rich for the Rich," Young added.

"If a company of this size and wealth can offer no better contribution to Manchester's homeless problem than to build themselves a fortress then I won't spend my money there," said a Manchester signatory.

Meanwhile, the Manchester department store, storing luxury fashion items, and among two outlets of the famous London store in the city, tried to justify its spikes. A spokesperson for Selfridges explained to TheIndependent.co that the spikes were "as part of a number of measures to reduce litter and smoking outside the store's team entrance, following customer complaints."

Jacqui McClusckey, director of policy and communications for Homeless Link, said: "Sleeping on the streets is dangerous, bad for your health and individuals need support."