Severe weather emergency protocol

Our Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) helps to protect and provide for vulnerable people sleeping rough during severe weather. 

SWEP is activated when there is a real risk of loss of life because of weather conditions, it must be applied when the night-time temperature is predicted to be zero degrees Celsius or below for three nights in a row. 

An occasional forecast above zero in a series of nights where the temperature is below zero should not stop SWEP from being activated. 

We will also consider: 

• how rain, snow and wind chill affect the temperatures 
• exceptional weather, including extreme wind, rain, and flooding 

In the event of a Met Office Amber Warning or if severe weather is coupled with very low temperatures, we will decide whether SWEP should be activated. 

If a red warning is issued, then SWEP should be activated.