EMERGENCY beds will be available for people experiencing rough sleeping as freezing weather is expected this weekend.

Oxford City Council has activated its severe weather emergency protocol [SWEP] to make emergency beds available this weekend for the homeless.

Emergency beds will be open for anyone who wants to come inside this weekend until Monday morning.

The council activates SWEP every night that the Met Office forecasts freezing overnight temperatures.

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It also uses its discretion to do so in other severe weather conditions such as snow on the ground, sub-zero ‘feels like’ temperatures, and a warmer night in the middle of a freezing spell

The weekend forecast is for freezing overnight temperatures, particularly tonight.

The council is also using its discretion to let users stay until Monday morning.

Warmer temperatures are expected for the first half of next week, but the council said it will keep the situation under constant review.

Councillor Mike Rowley, cabinet member for housing the homeless, said: “We’re activating SWEP and offering a room for the night for anyone experiencing rough sleeping who wants to come inside this weekend.”

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