Emergency action taken to protect rough sleepers

Forecasts for freezing temperatures has sparked a city council to provide emergency accommodation for rough sleepers.

The charity, Caring for Communities and People, which is commissioned to do work for Worcester City Council, is organising temporary accommodation for rough sleepers to move into until at least Sunday.

Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) has been activated to ensure the safety of homeless people ahead of the below zero temperatures forecast for New Year's Day and Thursday.

The emergency action comes as many parts of the country expects high winds, heavy rain and snow.

A spokesperson for the charity said communal spaces would be available in all districts across Worcestershire, including Worcester, Redditch and Wychavon, alongside B&B provision in Wyre Forest, Malvern and Bromsgrove.

They added outreach teams will be working across the county in vehicles and on foot, to invite and direct rough sleepers to the shelters, where the charity offers "a warm space for the night".

Councillor Jabba Riaz said opening the shelter doors would help to protect "some of our city's most vulnerable people".

CCP called for the public to report the location of rough sleepers to the charity using StreetLink so outreach teams can help many people as possible.

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