Homeless help stepped up as temperatures to fall

It is hoped more homeless people will accept the offer of help in the winter

Efforts to give rough sleepers across Manchester a warm space indoors will be stepped up for when temperatures fall to freezing, a council has said.

A protocol for extremely cold weather has been brought in across the city for November, which sees more council officers and charity workers out offering accommodation to the homeless.

It is triggered when temperatures are forecast to drop below zero and sees extra efforts made to offer support until at least 04:30 GMT each day.

Joanna Midgley, deputy leader of Manchester City Council, said the "expanded outreach offer" was "especially important" in the cold weather.

'Better, healthier future'

She said the offer of a warm bed was more likely to be accepted in the winter, and could be used as opportunity to offer people wider help.

"It is often the first step on the road to a better, healthier future", the councillor added.

The annual response to freezing temperatures is run by the council in tandem with the Manchester Homelessness Partnership, a group of charities that coordinates help for the homeless in the city.

Amanda Croome, from Catholic charity Caritas, which is part of the group, said the wider support on offer could be anything from "free food, showers, specialist advice and supported accommodation".

She said anyone can become homeless "at any time, for a wide range of reasons, but everyone deserves a safe, secure place to call home".