Watford rough sleepers emergency weather protocol activated

Watford’s severe weather emergency protocol is in place until Sunday to provide temporary accommodation in charity run accomodation and hotels for rough sleepers due to the extreme heat.

The Severe Weather Emergency Protocol document sets out arrangements to "provide humanitarian accommodation and support for rough sleepers in Watford to prevent them dying from the cold or other severe weather conditions".

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Rough sleepers, including those who have no recourse to public funds, will be provided with emergency accommodation even if they do not meet the usual eligibility or entitlement criteria.

A Met Office amber warning for extreme heat comes into force for parts of England and Wales from Thursday until Sunday this week, with temperatures set to climb to 35C or even 36C.

Due to the amber weather warning, the severe weather emergency protocol has been activated in Watford. Please call 0300 012 0168 if you are concerned about someone who is rough sleeping. #swep #heatwave #watford pic.twitter.com/THBOAxyIVJ

— New Hope (@NewHopeHQ) August 10, 2022

The provision also encourages rough sleepers to access longer term accommodation and support.

Watford Borough Council said: "If you are concerned about someone who is sleeping rough in the hot weather, then please call 0300 012 0168."

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