THEY say an Englishman's home is his castle but it seems so is this railway viaduct.

This cosy-looking encampment under the railway viaduct in Hylton Road, Worcester, is home sweet home with its own circular fireplace made of bricks, three tents, an umbrella, two clocks hung on each wall, a shelf, a bed, a makeshift sofa and two washing lines and not a council tax bill in sight.

The camp is enclosed by the arch and screened by trees, making it difficult to see from the road and the rough sleepers have ignored signs saying 'danger keep out' and 'caution, buried cables'.

However, West Mercia Police is concerned about the welfare of the rough sleepers and the sanitation at the camp and has asked the rough sleepers, who are believed to have been there at least a fortnight, to move on as soon as they can.

PC Alex Denny of West Mercia Police said British Transport Police, which have ultimate jurisdiction for the land, had now been made aware of the encampment.

He said: "I have spoken to the University of Worcester and they have a few issues as it is visible to people attending the university (the Arena). They have also been having fires and they get the smell of smoke. We are paying attention to this for the welfare of the people staying there."

A homeless intervention team at St Paul's Hostel in Worcester has also been notified so they can offer support and guidance.

PC Denny has also been speaking to people staying at the encampment and has asked them to get in touch with housing services with a view to securing more stable accommodation.

He said: "We have asked them to try and move on as soon as they are able to as they are responsible for a large amount of litter and some unpleasant smells in respect of open fires and litter. We are concerned about their welfare and we want to make sure their needs are catered for but we also understand it has an impact on the local community. It is unclean and there is a risk of rats there. They are using nearby bushes as a toilet which is not very sanitary and it's having an impact on the University Arena."

PC Denny said the site had also proved difficult to access for paramedics.

There are also people rough sleeping on Worcester Racecourse. Police are aware of this and have referred the matter to the St Paul's homeless intervention team.

A spokesman for the University of Worcester said they had received no official complaints and confirmed the land was owned by British Transport Police. The residents at the camp were unavailable for comment when your Worcester News reporter visited the camp yesterday.