Metal spikes have been installed outside a block of luxury flats in London to deter homeless people from sleeping there. But the installation of the studs has provoked criticism from some after a picture was uploaded to Twitter, the social networking site.
Users said the use of the studs meant homeless people were being treated the same way as pigeons, as similar metal spikes are used to deter them.
Andrew Horton, 33, of Woking, Surrey, took the picture of the inch long studs outside the flats on Southwark Bridge Road as he walked to work on Wednesday.
Mr Horton said: “I can’t say for certain but it certainly looked like they were placed there to deter homeless people.
Gavin Logan said on Twitter: “There will be a context behind those anti-homeless spikes. Possibly a last resort against someone who was aggressive and refused housing.”
People living in the flats, which sell for upwards of £800,000, said the metal studs were installed two weeks ago after a number of homeless people were seen sleeping there.