Tower Hamlets has the ninth highest rate of recorded homelessness in London, a housing charity revealed today.

One in every 41 people - 7,428 out of 304,854 - are said to be homeless in the east London borough.

Shelter, which compiled the figures from the last year for a new report, said 5,573 people in Tower Hamlets were in temporary accommodation [estimate based on household type] while 11 were sleeping rough.

The charity’s London hub manager, Connie Cullen, said: “On a daily basis, we speak to people and families who are desperately trying to escape the devastating trap of homelessness.”

Neighbouring borough Newham topped the list with one in 25 people classed as homeless.

Cllr Sirajul Islam said keeping people out of the street and families out of bed and breakfast accommodation was a council priority.

He said: “At the end of October, we had five families in B&B accommodation and no families with children stayed for longer than six weeks.

“We also have a 24-hr outreach service for rough sleepers to help them find accommodation.”