THE number of rough sleepers on London’s streets reached a record high in the final three months of the year, figures revealed today.

Data from the Combined Homelessness and Information Network showed 4,841 people were recorded sleeping rough between October and December — a 5 per cent increase on the same period in 2024 and 3 per cent higher than the previous quarter.

The rise has been driven by both new people sleeping rough and others remaining on the streets for longer. 

A total of 2,250 people were recorded sleeping rough for the first time in the run-up to Christmas, up 6 per cent year on year, with 73 per cent spending just one night outside.

But 830 people were deemed to be living on the streets long-term — 18 per cent up on a year earlier.

St Mungo’s chief executive Emma Haddad called the findings “deeply troubling,” warning that even one night on the streets could spiral into long-term homelessness.

“Whether they have experienced rising rents, the chronic lack of affordable and social housing, job insecurity or stretched support services, the dangers and devastation of sleeping rough for just one night are plain to see,” she said.

“The system is failing too many people, we need change.”

Crisis chief executive Matt Downie described rough sleeping as a “normalised emergency,” blaming years of underinvestment in support services and social housing.

“With record numbers of people living on the streets, it’s crucial that [government] address the reasons driving people there in the first place,” he said.

The data also showed a 40 per cent rise in new rough sleepers leaving hostels or supported housing, alongside a 6 per cent increase in care leavers sleeping rough.

Labour and London Mayor Sadiq Khan have pledged to halve rough sleeping.