THE number of rough sleepers across Oxfordshire has fallen by 30 per cent, according to the latest survey figures.

Councils estimate that there were 83 people experiencing rough sleeping across the county in November – a 30 per cent decrease from the 2018 estimate of 119 people.

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Three quarters of people experiencing rough sleeping are in Oxford itself, where Oxford City Council estimated that the number of people sleeping rough in November had fallen from 94 to 62 – a 34 per cent reduction.

Oxford Mail:

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The most recent street count was last month when there were 25 rough sleepers counted in the city – a 42 per cent decrease on the 43 people counted in November and the lowest number since August 2015.

City councillor Linda Smith said: “We opened the first wing of our new assessment hub and shelter in Floyds Row last month and are investing £7.4m in preventing homelessness and rough sleeping in the coming year."

Oxford Mail:

As temperatures plummet, the council is extending the opening emergency beds for people experiencing rough sleeping tonight.

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Council leaders are activating the severe weather emergency protocol (SWEP) due to the Met Office forecasts of sub-zero ‘feels like’ temperatures.

This means that beds will open for anyone who wants to come inside tonight.

The council will decide whether to extend or close SWEP tomorrow morning. 'Feels like’ temperatures are expected to rise above zero for the following nights.

Oxford Mail:

SWEP is emergency accommodation for anyone experiencing rough sleeping – including people who have no local connection to Oxford, no right to claim benefits or housing in the UK or who have refused offers of accommodation and support.