SEVERE Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) has been activated throughout Winchester for rough sleepers.

SWEP was put in place by local authorities nationwide last week in response to the freezing temperatures.

People experiencing homelessness are offered temporary, emergency accommodation to prevent rough sleeping in extreme cold weather, and the danger of deaths.

The Winchester Beacon, in Jewry Street, is helping by putting a fold-up bed in their lounge area to increase the site’s capacity throughout SWEP.

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Michèle Price, its chief executive, said: “It's mainly spaces that are opened for people rough sleeping when there is an increased risk of death due to the cold weather.

“Some of the agencies offer extra beds, otherwise they get put up in accommodation locally which is organised by the council.

“The whole idea is preventing anyone from dying in cold, we work together as an outreach team, the services all join together to help anyone that we can.”

If night-time temperatures are predicted to be zero degrees or below for three consecutive nights, SWEP must be activated and local housing authorities must provide emergency accommodation.

There is no legal requirement for people experiencing homelessness to take up the offer. However, rough sleepers are advised to stay until the severe weather ends, or they have found other suitable accommodation.

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Ms Price said: “Some people do refuse and we work together with them still, we will continually offer them accommodation and try to change their mind.

“If they are rough sleeping and we know where they are, we will go back to check they’re okay and we will offer all the help that we can, putting them in contact with all the agencies.

“There is no legal requirement for anyone to take up our service, but obviously we all work together here in Winchester to make sure we try to prevent anyone from having to sleep in the cold.”

SWEP was activated last week on January 19 and is currently estimated to be in place across Winchester till January 27.