Extra measures in Exeter to bring rough sleepers inside from the cold

Published: 5 December 2022

With temperatures set to plummet this week, Exeter City Council will be making extra emergency accommodation available to rough sleepers over the coming days.

The City Council will be activating its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) in light of forecasted sub-zero temperatures this week. The protocol will kick in on Tuesday night and last until Monday 12 December, with the Council keeping an eye on weather forecasts beyond that date.

The Council has reminded 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 agecies - as sleeping rough in the city, will be contacted and offered the opportunity to come indoors during this spell of cold weather.

Cllr Martin Pearce, Lead Councillor for Communities and Homelessness Prevention, said: “We have been working with partners in the city over the last couple of weeks, getting ready for the cold weather to hit, to make extra accommodation available.

“Getting as many people as possible inside with a roof over their heads is always our priority. This work becomes even more important during periods of extreme weather. No-one in the city should have to sleep rough, particularly during this cold spell.”