Lingering cold weather sees extra measures for rough sleepers extended

Published: 28 February 2023

Extra measures to bring rough sleepers inside during cold weather have been extended as overnight freezing forecasts continue into the week, Exeter City Council has announced.

The City Council has revealed it will extend its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) by 24 hours until Wednesday morning, when temperatures are expected to rise.

The SWEP was activated on Friday last week and ran through the weekend. It was set to end on Tuesday morning but has now been extended by a day as freezing overnight temperatures are set to continue for a short while.

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.