Rough sleepers offered shelter during cold snap

Swep is activated when the temperature falls below 0C (32F)

Special measures have been put in place across a county to help homeless people.

Both West and North Northamptonshire councils have activated Severe Weather Emergency Protocols (Swep) after yellow warnings for snow and ice were issued by the Met Office.

This means all known rough sleepers are contacted with information about overnight accommodation and directed to services.

The councils are urging anyone who knows of a rough sleeper to get in touch so they can be offered shelter.

Swep is activated when the temperature falls below 0C (32F).

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) planned for Swep to remain in place until at least 09:00 GMT on Monday, 6 January.

North Northamptonshire Council said Swep would initially be put in place only for Thursday night, but that the situation would be reviewed each day.

WNC said the aim of Swep was to make sure no-one died on the streets due to severe weather and that every effort was made to reach out to people sleeping rough to help them get the services they needed.