Emergency beds for people rough sleeping opened again last night as severe weather was anticipated.
Oxford City Council opens Severe Weather Emergency Protocol beds ieach year for anyone experiencing rough sleeping, including people who have no right to claim benefits or housing in the UK or who have refused offers of accommodation and support.
In previous years this was provided in shared spaces but the need to keep people safe during the pandemic means they are now offered their own room for the night.
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The council activates SWEP on every night the Met Office forecasts freezing overnight temperatures: including last night (January 12).
The council will decide whether or not to extend SWEP beyond this today (Wednesday, January 13).
The current Met Office forecast suggests that overnight temperatures will rise above zero and that SWEP facilities will close again after today.
What to do if you see a rough sleeper
If you are concerned about someone experiencing rough sleeping, you can contact OxSPOT on 07590 862049 or by emailing Outreach.Oxford@mungos.org.
OxSPOT is not an emergency service, but it will follow up all calls and emails as soon as possible.
You can also report a rough sleeper through streetlink.org.uk or call StreetLink on 0300 500 0914.
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