Oxford City Council will activate its severe weather emergency protocol (SWEP), emergency accommodation for anyone experiencing rough sleeping, when freezing overnight temperatures are forecast by the Met Office.

The council also said it would use its discretion to open emergency beds in other severe weather conditions.

These can include snow on the ground, sub-zero ‘feels like’ temperatures, or a warmer night in the middle of a prolonged freezing spell.

Councillor Linda Smith, cabinet member for housing and communities, said: “Nobody should have to sleep rough in Oxford and SWEP provides a lifeline for people at risk during freezing winter weather.

Councillor Linda Smith (Image: Contributed) “SWEP also gives us another chance to offer the support they might need to leave the streets behind for good.

“SWEP relies on people in Oxford’s homelessness services stepping up and taking on extra shifts on top of their day jobs, and I’m grateful for everyone who will help us deliver this vital service.”

The council has secured at least 41 bed spaces in Oxford and has contingency plans to provide more spaces if the need arises.

While weekly estimates for the number of people sleeping rough are now typically in the mid-40s, the council said not everyone will accept the offer of an emergency bed and others will already have accommodation available to them.

As a result, it said it believes it has enough beds to meet demand this winter.

Last winter, SWEP was activated on 24 nights, providing 534 stays for 104 people.

The number of people accessing a SWEP bed on any one night ranged from 15 to 34.

The St Mungo’s outreach and assessment team will allocate SWEP beds to people experiencing rough sleeping during the day, letting them know where they need to go.

St Mungo’s is also commissioned by the council to deliver an outreach service helping people off the streets all year round.

Councillor Smith added: “St Mungo’s works intensively with people on the streets and will allocate SWEP rooms during the day, telling them how to access the service and where and when to go.

“If you are concerned about someone experiencing rough sleeping, please contact the outreach team.”

People who have not been allocated a SWEP bed in advance will be able to present at O’Hanlon House between 11pm and midnight.

One of the SWEP venues is suitable for people with dogs and St Mungo’s can also arrange free kennels if necessary, but these must be arranged in advance as they are not available on the night.