Stoke-on-Trent City Council said it worked with Staffordshire Police to issue a Community Protection Warning (CPW) ordering rough sleepers to be removed from the area and offered them support.

The local official said the camp was “causing fear in the local area for church staff as well as visitors”.

Councilor Chris Robinson said: “Illegal homeless camps pose a threat to the local community and are not the right way to tackle the extremely serious problem of homelessness.”

Stoke-on-Trent District Officer Elliott Sharrard-Williams said Staffordshire Police would continue to work with partners to help vulnerable residents in the community.

“Our vision is to create a healthier, wealthier, safer, greener, cleaner and fairer city for everyone, and a big part of that is making sure people feel safe where they live,” he said.