DEATHS among homeless people have risen in Bolton over a five year period.

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show a creeping increase in deaths on the streets of Bolton between 2013 and 2017.

An increased echoed around Greater Manchester.

Records show show four people died in Bolton on the streets in 2017, three the year before that.

In 2013 no one was recorded as dying while homeless.

However, the ONS has also revealed estimated deaths for the period as well, surmising that the person registering a death might not always know someone was homeless. They estimate five died in 2017.

The lead for homelessness on the Combined Authority, Paul Dennett, Mayor of Salford, said: “The statistics confirm what we have been reporting to government for some time.

“Austerity, the emergence of the gig economy, welfare reform and a chronic under-supply of truly affordable housing and supported accommodation have created vast swathes of destitution in the country’s most deprived areas, cities and beyond.

"It is shameful that in today’s world there are still people living and dying on our streets. This is something that simply should not be happening in 21st century Britain, the fifth richest country in the world!”

Across Greater Manchester a new scheme called A Bed Every Night was launched at the end of 2018 with the aim of helping homeless people off the street permanently.

Mr Dennett said A Bed Every Night had so far helped 1,500 people in Greater Manchester.