Oxford City Council activated its severe weather emergency protocol (SWEP) this week.

Working with St Mungo’s, the council confirmed they have secured a minimum of 30 bed spaces across two venues in central Oxford for people experiencing rough sleeping.

The SWEP protocol is activated during freezing winter weather making beds available for people who needs one.

Read more: Community order for 'eccentric' Oxford man banned from dancing in street

Matt Rudd, regional manager for St Mungo’s in Oxford, said: “SWEP is an emergency response to prevent people from dying or developing serious health conditions during extreme weather.

“This is a temporary situation, to ensure that people have access to warm, safe and appropriate accommodation, however we also look to ensure that our clients remain in the accommodation, in order for us to arrange move-on accommodation and prevent a return to a period of rough sleeping.”

According to the council, until last year, SWEP beds were provided in shared sleeping spaces, this year due to Covid-19, people wanting a bed will be given their own room for the night.

They believe there will be enough beds to meet potential demand as no more than 18 people took up a bed on any one-night last winter.

Contingency plans are in place to provide more beds if needed, communal areas will only be used in exceptional circumstances.

-

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

For news updates straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on news@nqo.com or 01865 425 445.