Cold snap triggering 'severe weather protocol' across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
With overnight temperatures across Dorset dropping below zero in the coming days, BCP Council's offering places of refuge for rough sleepers
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council have activated their Severe Weather Emergency Protocol for those sleeping rough.
The latest GOV statistics found BCP to be the local authority area with the third highest number of rough sleepers (69) in England.
With temperatures in Dorset expected to drop as low as -5 overnight, homeless people in BCP will be able to access to emergency shelter.
Earlier this month, Dorset Council also triggered their emergency cold weather provisions for rough sleepers due to a “significant drop in temperatures.”
Meanwhile, hundreds of warm spaces across the county are opening up to offer refuge for those struggling to heat their home.
Kim Gallagher from the Herston Village Hall in Swanage to us: “We try to do actions and do whatever we can to help out locally.
“Our warm hub is about coming together as a community and forgetting our struggles and what we’re going through. It’s about meeting friendly people and having a place to stay warm and have a snack.”
In Swanage, 11 warm hubs such as churches, community centres and libraries have opened their doors already this month and reportedly have “regular people come in.”
Residents are being asked to call 01202 315962 if they are concerned about someone sleeping rough during this time.