A council has extended its severe weather emergency provision for a further night (tonight).

With temperatures dropping below 0C throughout this week, Hertsmere Borough Council activated its Severe Weather Emergency Provision (SWEP) to provide temporary shelter for rough sleepers in Hertsmere.

SWEP is activated when there is severe weather and is designed to prevent deaths or serious illness on the streets during periods of particularly difficult weather.

The provision is available for those who would not normally be eligible for temporary accommodation, including people evicted from temporary accommodation or those who do not have access to public funds.

To qualify, an individual must be sleeping rough, which does not include ‘sofa-surfing’ or staying with friends and must have a connection to the borough.

Contact should be made to the council between 9am and 4pm to enable plans to be put in place to accommodate the rough sleeper.

Councillor Jean Heywood, responsible for housing, said: “With the cold winter nights now upon us, it is vital that we do all we can to help those who are sleeping rough and the activation of SWEP will enable the council to provide temporary shelter.

“This will at least keep them safe until plans can be put in place to try and prevent people from returning to rough sleeping.

“The council provides support for rough sleepers all year round and we will continue to strive to end rough sleeping altogether in the borough.”

Watford Borough Council activated SWEP for the first time this winter earlier this month where people were given shelter by New Hope at Haven Support Centre in Whippendell Road.