Kirklees Council has swung into emergency action to get rough sleepers into warm accommodation to save them from potentially freezing to death.

This week’s minus zero temperatures triggered the council’s Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP).

This means that every rough sleeper across Kirklees has been offered a warm bed for the night.

SWEP is activated when temperatures are forecast to fall to zero degrees or below for three consecutive nights or when severe adverse weather is predicted.

It aims to prevent deaths on the streets in severe weather and was triggered last Monday (November 18) and will now be continually reviewed.

If anyone knows or meets someone sleeping rough during this cold weather call the Housing Solutions Service on 01484 221350 weekdays from 9am to 5pm or the emergency duty service out of hours and at weekends on 01484 414933.

Alternatively, report people sleeping rough online anytime at https://thestreetlink.org.uk/

A Kirklees spokesperson said: “If you see a homeless person or someone who looks to be sleeping rough you can let the relevant people know where they are and when you saw them through this Street Link app.

“The app alerts the council’s Housing Solutions team and their partner organisation who can go and check what, if any, help the person needs.

“Our Rough Sleeping Initiative team, homelessness partners and street outreach groups operate all year, assisting many at risk of sleeping rough.

“This includes facilitating access to emergency accommodation and support with addressing poor health and substance misuse. SWEP provides quicker access to an emergency bed while we continue to work with individuals.

“We are committed to helping people get off the streets permanently. Our colleagues in Housing Solutions work all year to support people at risk of becoming homeless or who are already rough sleeping. We provide support and emergency accommodation for eligible people who find themselves homeless.”

SWEP has the potential to save and change lives. Everyone who is given a bed through SWEP receives a visit by a housing officer the next morning who will talk through their options and discuss longer term help. If they won’t accept help thorough SWEP, the Huddersfield Mission and the Welcome Centre both offer somewhere they can go to chat and keep warm.

Follow the Kirklees Council dedicated winter account on X (formerly Twitter) @KirkleesWinter.

Written by ANDY HIRST who runs his own Yorkshire freelance journalism agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in press releases, blogging, website content, copywriting and ghost-writing autobiographies.