Plummeting temperatures pose a threat to homeless people

As temperatures hit sub-zero, charities and the authorities come together in an effort to help rough sleepers with accommodation.

Image: Oxford Mail

After widespread snowfall in Oxford and surrounding areas this past week, a local authority has promised short-term living arrangements for rough sleepers suffering the effects of the dramatic drop in temperature.

Oxford Council have enacted their Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) when working with St Mungo’s charity for the homeless.

Following the announcement many schools across Oxfordshire have been closed to protect the children from dangerous conditions on their commute.

The charity has also increased the volume of staff on shift to combat the issue. Talking to the BBC, service manager Ellie Alway-Thomas said: “We will continue to work tirelessly around the clock to ensure that people are brought into the safe and warm."

Weather conditions are predicted to change at the weekend, as warnings of storm Bert loom with threats of heavy rain, strong winds and disruptive snow to parts of the UK through the weekend.

St Mungo’s have said they will continue in their efforts to provide temporary accommodation and persist that ‘it is absolutely right this is treated as an emergency.’