As temperatures drop below zero across many parts of the UK, leading homelessness charity St Mungo’s is warning of the extreme danger that freezing weather presents to people experiencing homelessness who are sleeping rough on the streets.
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for snow and ice across much of the UK, with the severe weather conditions expected to continue into next week.
In response, many councils have now activated emergency measures to help as many people as possible who are sleeping rough to stay safe.
Known as the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP), the response sees an increased number of outreach shifts and the provision of additional emergency accommodation, with the aim of getting as many people as possible out of the cold, and into safety.
SWEP has been activated in a number of cities across the UK, including the following areas where St Mungo’s operates.
Across London
Bristol
Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole
Oxford
Reading
Oxford and Reading SWEP will be in place until at least Monday January 6th, and Bristol has called SWEP until Wednesday January 8th. London and Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole are reviewing SWEP on a daily basis.
James Lally, St Mungo’s Services Director, said: “Access to a safe and warm place to live is vital for those experiencing homelessness all year round – and during freezing cold weather, emergency accommodation saves lives.
With SWEP now activated in many parts of the country, including across London, St Mungo’s frontline teams are prepared to respond to this critical situation, and continue to work tirelessly around the clock to make sure that as many people as possible can be brought out of the cold and into safety.
Anyone who is concerned about a person who is street homeless should contact StreetLink. And, as ever, if someone is in an emergency situation people should call 999.”
As part of their emergency response, St Mungo’s Outreach Teams have increased the number of routine shifts being carried out across all activated cities.
