THE number of London’s rough sleepers’ has fallen by two-thirds in the past six months, the London Assembly has been told today. Some 138 homeless men and women now have accommodation—but that still leaves another 100 out there

By Mike Brooke

THE number of London's 'rough sleepers' has fallen by two-thirds in the past six months, the London Assembly has been told today.

Some 138 homeless men and women who have been on the streets for more than five years now have accommodation-but that still leaves another 100 long-term 'rough sleepers' out there.

The figures were revealed during Mayor Boris Johnson's questions time in a response to Tory Group housing spokesman Steve O'Connell, who said afterwards: "To bring so many entrenched rough sleepers in from the cold in just six months is a success for the Mayor.

"Encouraging someone who has been sleeping on the streets for more than five years back into accommodation is no mean feat. Getting 138 people sheltered is an impressive achievement."

But the Assembly won't stop there and has pledged to get rid of 'rough sleeping' on the streets by 2012, when London is in the global spotlight hosting the next Olympics.