Extra measures for rough sleepers in Exeter introduced for cold snap

Published: 23 February 2023

A cold snap over the weekend and into the early part of next week has prompted the City Council to activate its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) and introduce extra measures to bring rough sleepers inside during the freezing weather.

The Council announced on Thursday 23 February that due to Met Office forecasts for overnight freezing conditions, the SWEP would start on Friday 24 February and stay in place over the weekend until Tuesday 28 February.

The Council will keep an eye on weather forecasts and extend the protocol where necessary.

The Protocol makes extra emergency accommodation available to rough sleepers and the Council is reminding members of the public that they can report someone they believe to be rough sleeping to Streetlink at https://www.streetlink.org.uk/

The SWEP means that individuals confirmed by the outreach service – working with other local homelessness partner agencies - as sleeping rough in the city, will be contacted and offered the opportunity to come indoors during this spell of cold weather, where spaces are available.

The Council works hard with partners in the city to make extra accommodation available during particularly cold weather.