Emergency protocol to help Shropshire rough sleepers extended as temperatures remain below zero

The council’s Rough Sleeper team activated its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) on New Year's Day to ensure those sleeping rough have a warm place to sleep while temperatures remain in the negatives.

With temperatures dropping to as low as -6 in some areas of Shropshire this week. The council’s Rough Sleeper team has been talking with rough sleepers across the county to offer accommodation and warm food and drinks.

This is the third period this winter where SWEP has been activated.

This year the council is running emergency accommodation provision from the Shrewsbury Ark. This ensures that accommodation is in Shrewsbury close to local services and not in hotel accommodation, in unfamiliar settings away from local support.

Since January 1, the council has provided accommodation for between seven and 14 rough sleepers each night who without the support would be sleeping out in sub-zero temperatures.

SWEP, which forms part of the council’s annual Cold Weather Provision, aims to get people off the streets during periods of severe weather, by providing emergency accommodation to anyone sleeping rough.

Councillor Dean Carroll, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for Housing and Assets, said: "The winter months can be especially difficult for individuals who are experiencing rough sleeping.

“Shropshire Council’s SWEP protocol has been activated over the past week following the drop in temperature.

“SWEP is run by the council’s rough sleeper team and volunteers comprising of the Shrewsbury Ark, mental health team and other partner agencies.

“Throughout the evenings our rough sleeper team has been visiting all rough sleepers to remind them that this provision is available, and to encourage them to come in from the cold. Police, the council, the street pastors and others are also helping to ensure everyone is made aware that they do not need to be outside. Taxis have been made available for those who may be unable to travel easily to a facility.

“Those who are rough sleeping will have access to hot food, support, and a warm place to stay both day and night during cold winter temperatures. Our officers will also work closely with individuals who are rough sleeping or lack other accommodation options to find them more permanent housing solutions.

“SWEP is better equipped and staffed than it’s ever been, so to ensure no-one has to be out in freezing weather, SWEP will be activated on a daily basis when the weather is forecast to get to zero degrees or below at any time overnight.

“The provision is available throughout the winter months, even if an individual has previously declined an offer (or multiple offers). There is a statutory duty on the council to provide an offer of SWEP during severe weather conditions.

“I would like to thank all officers and partners for their hard work and dedication in what has been extremely cold conditions, in helping rough sleepers in our county, access a warm place to sleep and eat.”

SWEP will remain in place until Sunday, January 12 unless otherwise advised.

If you or someone you know sees someone sleeping rough, the council are asking for it to be reported online via thestreetlink.org.uk.