South-west councils stepping in to help people in need in winter cold

Councils in Devon and Cornwall are stepping in to help people struggling with the cold weather.

Locations around both counties are opening their doors as warm spaces, with many offering hot food and drinks.

Exeter and Plymouth city councils are bringing rough sleepers inside during the cold snap.

It comes as temperatures have dropped in the south-west of England, with lows of -7C (19F) having been recorded in Exeter on Monday.

Plymouth City Council said its scheme offering accommodation to rough sleepers would be extended for as long as temperatures remained low.

It said: "During any kinds of adverse or severe weather, we implement our Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) so that we are able to offer accommodation to people sleeping on the streets.

"Although the accommodation we and our partners can provide is not suitable for the long-term, it is warm, dry and safe and our partners in the Plymouth Alliance have worked to reach out to known rough sleepers to encourage them inside."

Around Plymouth, about 50 "welcoming spaces" were available for those looking for a warm, safe space to spend time in during winter, officials said.

The council said the spaces would have a place to sit comfortably, and many of them also offered free wi-fi.

In Torridge, there are also "warm rooms" offering support in Bideford, Great Torrington, Hartland and Holsworthy.

North Devon has opened an emergency accommodation centre in Barnstaple until Friday morning at the Freedom Centre, officicals said.

Cornwall's charities and community groups have combined forces to make it easier to find practical help and support with a network of 35 community hubs across the county offering winter support support workers in the county said.

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