Public asked to help identify rough sleepers

The public is being asked to help city councils identify rough sleepers so they can be offered accommodation during the freezing weather.

Cambridge and Peterborough City Councils have triggered emergency measures to provide temporary shelter to "verified" rough sleepers.

The provisions are due to continue until Wednesday at Cambridge and Monday at Peterborough, and will be reviewed daily.

Cambridge City Council's Cameron Holloway said: "No-one should have to sleep rough and especially not in severe weather when the risks are even higher."

Eighteen offers of accommodation were made on 2 January to rough sleepers in Cambridge, where 26 people were verified as sleeping rough in November.

Meanwhile in Peterborough, the city council said there were 20 verified rough sleepers.

Cambridge City Council explained most were known to the authority and its partners, and will already have been offered accommodation and support throughout the year.

Winter provision is also made available between 4 November and 29 February at a site where each resident has their own room, often with an en-suite.

When severe weather hits, the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) is activated and emergency accommodation is offered, usually in hostels or bed and breakfasts.

Mr Holloway, executive councillor for Community Safety, Homelessness and Wellbeing at Cambridge, said: "We are once again working with partners across the city to provide much-needed support for people sleeping rough.

"I urge anyone who needs support to make use of the available accommodation, whether that's the SWEP emergency accommodation when the temperature drops to zero, as it has this week, or the winter provision available throughout the winter months.

He asked anyone who is concerned about a person sleeping rough to contact Streetlink or call 0300 500 0914.

A spokesperson for Peterborough City Council said: "Our rough-sleeper outreach team works at all different times of the day and night to locate rough sleepers, engage with them and offer them support."

The council works with partners such as mental health services and drug and alcohol teams, and offers housing and outreach services.

"These services help those people to maintain their independence, prevent rough sleeping and homelessness, as well as avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions. "

The authority issued a number for anyone needing support, or if anyone was concerned about a rough sleeper: 01733 864064 (or 01733 864157 after 18:00).

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