Emergency provision to protect rough sleepers has been enacted by two local authorities, with temperatures expected to fall below zero celsius before the end of the week.
North Somerset Council and Bristol City Council’s Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) measures will ensure that people will have access to shelter at night.
North Somerset Council said it was working with the YMCA Rough Sleeper Outreach team, who would identify those in need and offer accommodation and support.
The measures in Bristol will be similar, with outreach teams supported by the homelessness charity St Mungo’s.
BBC Weather shows temperatures as low as -2C in the region on Tuesday night and -3C later in the week.
In a post on Facebook, North Somerset Council said residents who were concerned about people sleeping rough could send an alert to the outreach team by using the Streetlink website, or call the YMCA Outreach Service on 01934 629 787.
Advice on the Bristol City Council website urged residents to: “encourage anyone they see rough sleeping in Bristol to call 0117 4070330 to speak to the Outreach team.”
They added: “You may call on their behalf if they are not able to call themselves.”
The measures will be in place in the city until Friday 2 January.
Similar measures are already in place in Somerset, lasting until the beginning of next week.
