'Around each corner I found another homeless person'

Concerns have been raised over people rough sleeping in Gloucester when temperatures drop below freezing

Serious concerns have been raised after "more than 20 people" were spotted sleeping rough in a city amid sub-zero temperatures.

Councillor Alastair Chambers urged Gloucester City Council at a meeting on 21 November to install CCTV to monitor the "dire" situation.

He said as he walked around Gloucester when it was -2.5C last week, around "each corner" he crossed, he "found another homeless person".

A council spokesperson said on 19 November every rough sleep was contacted, with 13 people not attending the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) accommodation offered.

SWEP is a plan by councils and charities to provide emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness during extreme weather conditions.

Mr Chambers told the full council meeting that "no one would choose to endure such harsh conditions if they had a viable alternative".

“This situation underscores the urgent need for compassion-driven solutions and accountability in addressing homelessness," he added.

A council spokesperson said they have a well-established procedure in place to mobilise the SWEP

Councillor Rebecca Trimnell, cabinet member for community engagement, told the meeting that there were advantages and disadvantages to having CCTV in the city centre.

“What I want to do is see where we have CCTV at the moment,” she added.

'Everyone offered a bed'

A city council spokesperson said they have a "well-established procedure in place to mobilise the SWEP during periods of severe weather that present a risk to the health and well-being of individuals who are sleeping rough".

“SWEP is implemented when temperatures drop below freezing for a minimum of three nights, and we mobilised SWEP on November 19.

“Where individuals are offered SWEP accommodation it is available for them to take up at any point during the evening, and there is no requirement for individuals to attend by a certain time," a spokesperson added.