The urgent sign Nuneaton council is urging locals to look for as temperatures plummet...

It has actioned a Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP)



Locals are being urged to look out for rough sleepers across Nuneaton and Bedworth as temperatures continue to plummet. Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council has actioned a Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP).

SWEP is specifically aimed at helping rough sleepers and comes into force when temperatures drop to zero degrees Celsius or below for three consecutive nights. It means that the council is obliged to help those who are sleeping on the streets.

Temperatures have fallen over the past 24 hours with sleet falling across the borough in the early hours of this morning. Temperatures are set to fall to -2C in the early hours of tomorrow morning and remain cold throughout the next 48 hours.

The council has listed how people can alert them to rough sleepers. It has said that during the SWEP period they can help people who may not eligible for assistance under homelessness legislation, do not have a priority need, do not have a local connection or be unintentionally homeless.

"NBBC recognises that there can be rough sleepers in borough," the Town Hall said.. "In times of severe weather, they are particularly at risk of harm and in extreme cases, death. The council is committed to helping them get the right support and services to end rough sleeping and access settled housing.

"The Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) is therefore intended to get rough sleepers off the streets during periods of below zero temperatures

"All clients placed into emergency accommodation when the SWEP is in operation will be offered housing advice to help them access the support they require to obtain settled housing," the Town Hall said.

"If any incidents of anti-social behaviour occur during the time that emergency accommodation is provided, then the Housing Solutions Manager will review the assistance provided and decide if alternative accommodation is appropriate to manage any risk."

The local authority has said that there may be some people who refuse shelter during severe weather. It has signed posted a number of local organisations that may be able to offer help and advice. These include Doorway, based at 25-27 Dugdale Street, Nuneaton and call be contacted on 024 7634 5583.

Also P3 which can be contacted on 0808 164 622, the Salvation Army, which is based in Victoria Street and can be called on 024 7634 3143 or St Basils, which can be reached by contacting 024 7688 9673.

Once the minimum temperature is predicted to rise above zero degrees, then the SWEP will be lifted and emergency accommodation for that night will no longer be provided.

"All clients placed into emergency accommodation when the SWEP is in operation will be offered Housing advice to help them access the support they require to obtain settled housing," the council added.

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/urgent-sign-nuneaton-council-urging-32904386