Council offers cold weather beds to rough sleepers

Icy conditions have prompted a council to guarantee rough sleepers short-term accommodation during the cold snap.

Bradford Council has activated its Cold Weather Provision scheme, which sees anyone sleeping rough offered an "emergency bed space on freezing cold nights".

One person used the service on Sunday, with 11 housed by the scheme on Monday evening, according to the authority.

It comes as many parts of the country experienced their first snowfall of winter.

• As it happened: First snow of season in parts of Yorkshire

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, portfolio holder for regeneration, transport and planning, said: "Severe cold weather increases the risk to people sleeping rough.

"When temperatures drop below zero, our provision means that those vulnerable people can have a warm place to stay indoors.

"We won’t give up on anyone no matter how difficult their situation may be."

According to the council, a 23-year-old man who had used the service said it was "amazing".

The man, named as Jack, had been sleeping rough in Bradford city centre, and said the service "saved lives".

He said: "It’s hard on the streets at any time, but when the temperature’s dropping people can die in their tents.

"Making sure people are warm and giving them a cooked meal means everything."

A council spokesperson said: "When the temperature is due to fall to zero or below from 1 October until 30 April, the council’s outreach teams are out on the streets across the district, making sure rough sleepers can access the provision."

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