Three local homeless people have had their sleeping bags and mattresses taken by Police after being told that the items represent a security threat.
UPDATE 02/06/17: Police have now confirmed they did remove bedding and sleeping bags from three homeless people in Milton Keynes
Sam, Danny and Kelly have been sleeping rough outside Milton Keynes Central station for the past 18 months, with the location of their bedding being well-known amongst local residents.
However, they were told by Police officers this weekend that the presence of the bedding outside the station could represent a security threat.
Photographs circulating on social media show that their bedding and sleeping bags were collected and removed by four Police officers.
Speaking to MKFM, Danny said "The Police have taken away our bedding and with an armed officer nearby it was a very intimidating moment for us."
Sam said that he was told by Police that "bombs could be placed under the bedding" and the bedding represented a security threat following the Manchester terror attack last week.
The image of the bedding being removed with armed police nearby, has been spreading on Facebook and Twitter, with many local residents commenting that they are disappointed to see the picture.
Facebook user Aimee Tidman commented "I'm so angry about this. These guys have been there for years and instead of actually helping vulnerable people they've made their situation ten times worse again."
Meanwhile, another poster Clare Robertson commented "This is disgusting, my 11 year old daughter saw this happening and she got upset over it. She kept saying that's all they have, why would police who are meant to help people be so mean and take there stuff, they done nothing wrong. If it's to do with the fact of it poses a threat then ask them to move along to a different place don't take their belongings."
Some social media users had suggested that the owners of the bedding were not in fact homeless.
However, all three of the people spoken to by our reporter said they sleep at or around the train station and have had to get replacement bedding from other rough sleepers.
Thames Valley Police have been praised by many for their work in Milton Keynes since the Manchester terror attack, with armed officers being deployed on the streets last week to reassure the public.
The force has also taken to Twitter to encourage the public to "come and say hello" to the armed officers on duty.
MKFM contacted Thames Valley Police for comment but their Media Office was closed.
