GROWING prejudice and intolerance is having violent consequences for the homeless in a Kent city, says a charity chief.

Scrine Foundation chief executive Lloyd Hobbard-Mitchell said he felt the need to "put my head above the parapet" after a man was treated in hospital following an attack in the Wincheap area of Canterbury.

Mr Hobbard-Mitchell, whose charity runs the Open Centre for the homeless, said: "There has always been a minor element of prejudice towards our clients. But this is something I am feeling after hearing more and more from residents here."

A long-term member of the city’s homeless community, who asked not to be named, said that he had suffered injuries as a result of street attacks.

He said: "Every night is a risk. We are usually on our own and I do think some people just see us as an easy target."