Extra measures to bring rough sleepers inside for February cold snap

Published: 3 February 2023

A new cold snap has prompted the City Council to introduce extra measures to bring rough sleepers inside.

Exeter City Council will activate its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) on Monday (6 February) after the Met Office forecast icy conditions for next week. The SWEP is set to stop on Thursday morning (9 February). However the Council will keep an eye on weather forecasts and review the policy if needed.

The Protocol makes extra emergency accommodation available to rough sleepers.

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.