Kind-hearted residents are being urged not to take in homeless people amid fears such acts could undo the work of specialist charities.

Canterbury City Council bosses says it is aware of "a small number" of locals who have provided beds and cared for rough sleepers during the cold snap.

Despite noting "this has happened for purely compassionate reasons", the authority is advising against such offers as it believes it could hamper attempts to put a permanent roof over their heads.

Council spokesman Leo Whitlock explained: "Many rough sleepers have very complex needs and there are often multiple reasons why they are on the street.

"They variously require the specialist interventions of mental health, physical health, alcohol or drug addictions services, as examples.

"We and our partner organisations, such as Catching Lives and Porchlight, can spend many months building up their trust and confidence, addressing their health issues and supporting them into a position in their lives where they can access suitable housing and get off the streets for good.

"If we cannot continue this because they suddenly disappear, it can undo weeks or months of often productive work."

Mr Whitlock says much of the work of the charities and specialists from the city council takes place at the winter night shelter or through its severe weather emergency protocol (Swep).

In these settings, the organisations are able to intervene - often on an intensive basis - and put support in place.

"Eventually, rough sleepers who have been taken in by members of the public will end up back on the streets, because it can never be a permanent arrangement," Mr Whitlock added.

"But at that point, support initiatives, such as the winter shelter and Swep, may not be running, and our chance to intervene may be lost, or reduced."

"It can undo weeks or months of often productive work..."

Local authority workers are also concerned for the safety of the Good Samaritans taking in rough sleepers.

Mr Whitlock says the "uncomfortable truth" is that some of the district's homeless population "have a history of violence or significant mental health conditions".

"We are therefore concerned that people who open their home up could be putting themselves at risk," he continued.

"For these two reasons, therefore, our strong preference is for rough sleeper support to be left to the agencies and charities who have the expertise to deal with it."

Swep - which is activated during periods of extremely low temperatures - will remain in operation across Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay until early next week.

Under the scheme, the city council reacts to reports of a rough sleeper by offering the person accommodation, if they want it, such as bed and breakfast or temporary housing.

Since Friday, February 5, the local authority has offered placements to nine people, with five accepting this and four declining.

"The latter are all individuals who are known to the rough sleeper initiative," Mr Whitlock said.

"We will continue our efforts to engage with them and encourage them to come in. They are some of our most complex clients."

Reports can be made by visiting Streetlink here or by calling the council on 0808 196 8140 during the day and 01227 781879 outside office hours.

To make a donation to Catching Lives, visit www.catchinglives.org/donate.

You can also support Porchlight by going to www.porchlight.org.uk/donate.

Read more: All the latest news from Canterbury