Boris Johnson hires team to stop second nights on the streets

Rough sleepers will be rescued from spending more than one night on London's streets under a scheme set up by Boris Johnson today.

A 24-hour team will target people sleeping in doorways, on park benches and under arches in a bid to prevent long-term homelessness.

They will help rough sleepers to consider their options — including returning to their home towns if there is no risk.

Mr Johnson hopes the No Second Night Out scheme, funded by £700,000 from central government, will help reach his target of ending rough sleeping in the capital by the end of 2012.

The Mayor said: "The fact that people still endure Dickensian conditions on the streets of 21st-century London is scandalous and something I am committed to ending.

"These are tough economic times, but no one should have to suffer the indignity of sleeping in doorways, in subways or on pavements."

Leslie Morphy, chief executive of homelessness charity Crisis, welcomed the project.