Van dwellers in Bristol arm themselves after a caravan arson attack. Tensions rise between them and locals.
The fire started a debate about Bristol’s van dwellers, a topic of growing concern. Bristol has the most van dwellers in the UK, with around 800 people living in 600-650 vans. Locals have differing opinions, some blaming a faulty gas cylinder for the fire. Others claim it was arson, arguing someone could have died in the process. They feel their concerns are being ignored.
Official reports show a big rise in vehicle homelessness, a concerning trend. The number went up 400 percent in five years. Now, 680 vans park on residential streets in town, though some believe this number may be even higher.
Bristol Council has tried evictions and banned talking to locals, but these approaches have had limited success. Two years ago, one resident called the situation a “nightmare.” A van resident even threatened to break their windows while they were on a work video call, unable to hear due to the noise.
The resident recounts seeing a woman yelling outside after her wind chimes broke, having fallen from her caravan. She wrongly believed they were responsible and became aggressive. Feeling threatened, they called the police because she was dangerous. The resident also claims van dwellers deal drugs and recognizes signs of heroin and crack dealing.
He believes they use the vans to conceal their drug sales, dealing to both residents and outsiders. This has led him to believe that children are no longer safe in the area. He urgently wants the council to move all the vans. He states he feels bad for those facing hardship, but prioritizes safety.
A van resident, Dexter Shallcross, speaks of prejudice, arguing people wrongly blame van dwellers for various issues. Fellow van dweller, LJ, lost his business during COVID-19. Unable to get a job or benefits without an address, he feels forced to live in a van.
Many vans are empty during the week as people go to work, disproving negative assumptions. Working for minimum wage makes van life a more appealing option, since it allows one to avoid high rent on shared houses. Many work summer festivals and spend winter in Bristol. They assert that they are law-abiding citizens.
A 66-year-old woman criticized the van dwellers after witnessing someone empty their toilet on the grass. Another resident was even spat on, and police identified the perpetrator. She claims van dwellers ruin the nice area and feels they don’t contribute to society.
One councillor argues that the council’s current approach is not working, expressing concern for both van dwellers and community members. They highlight that living on the street is inherently risky. Attitudes toward van dwelling are diverse, and some neighbors even oppose evicting van dwellers, viewing them as fellow citizens.
Another councillor believes people are treating van dwellers unfairly, emphasizing that they are still human beings. They note that anyone could become homeless, making such treatment inherently wrong. They conclude that there is a collective duty to protect these vulnerable individuals.