Rough sleeper numbers 'much higher than official figures'
The real number of rough sleepers could be ten times higher than the government figure - because officials are only counting people they see LYING DOWN as homeless.
Worthing Borough Council surprised charity workers by claiming just three people were sleeping rough.
But the opposition Liberal Democrats claimed last night the figure - based on national guidelines - does not include people who are merely slouched in doorways as opposed to asleep or "bedded down".
Alan Rice, the Lib Dem's shadow cabinet member for housing, told The Argus there were nearer 35 people who sleep without a roof over their head.
Coun Rice's claim comes after he joined the Worthing Churches Homeless Projects on a recent sleep-out.
He said: "As I understand it, if someone is sitting up in a doorway, rather than lying down asleep, they are not counted.
