Concern for rough sleepers across Bucks, Beds, and Herts grows
The rare red warning weather with endanger lives, the Met Office has said
As a rare red weather warning is issued across parts of Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and Hertfordshire there are growing concerns for people sleeping rough across the three counties.
The Met Office has said temperatures could reach up to 40C on Monday and Tuesday, warning that this could be a "danger to life".
Severe Weather Emergency Response
According to Rosie George from Leighton Linslade Homeless Service in Bedfordshire a Severe Weather Emergency Response has been triggered meaning emergency accommodation should be found for people sleeping rough to protect them from the sun.
Rosie said, "it would have been in the past for the snow, which has happened several times. But the heat is just as dangerous to somebody outside if they're not protected from the sun or taking enough fluid. So, it's just as important in the hot weather but it's unusual."
Helping the homeless in the heat
National homelessness charities such as St Mungo's and Shelter have been offering advice to people who are concerned about someone sleeping rough.
These include handing out water, sun cream, or an umbrella.
Ms. George reiterates these points adding, "you can advise people to move into the shade, you can say 'look, there's somewhere over there'."
"If somebody is looking particularly ill, you can contact something called Street Link, the council, or an ambulance but I wouldn't do that immediately. Perhaps watch the person for a little while, it may be that they've fallen asleep and they're not unconscious."
Finally saying, "people outside, they're not children. Whereas you'd probably say to child, 'you can't go outside unless you're protected', you really can't say that to an adult. I think it's got to be done really respectfully, not as if we're forcing somebody."