UK heatwave: Emergency plan to protect homeless people

Emergency plans to support homeless people during the heatwave have been put in place in parts of southern England.

Regular water drops and sun cream are being provided to rough sleepers in Southampton, Portsmouth, Oxford, Reading, Slough, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

The move is part of plans implemented by charities and several councils.

The measures come as a four-day extreme heat amber warning is in place.

Temperatures are forecast to hit 37°C (99°F) in some parts of the country over the next couple of days.

In Southampton, rough sleepers have been encouraged to access the Two Saints Day Centre in Cranbury Avenue, which is open Monday to Friday until 14:00 BST.

The centre will provide laundry and shower facilities while water, sunscreen and sun hats will be handed out.

When the Two Saints Day Centre is closed, additional support will be provided at 10 Southampton Street and the Salvation Army in Oxford Street.

The Rough Sleeping hub in Portsmouth will instead remain open for an extended period of time from 08:00 to 18:00 BST.

Slough Borough Council's team has been handing out water and sun cream to rough sleepers since Tuesday, while emergency plans in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) council area will remain in place until Sunday.

An additional day centre is being made available for people experiencing homelessness in Reading, where charity St Mungo's has partnered up with Reading Borough Council to give out water, advice and sun protection.

Charity manager Wendy Dodds said: "We urge the public to take action if they see somebody who is in danger, and always contact 999 in an emergency. You can also be a massive help to someone just by giving them some water or sun cream."

Residents concerned about people sleeping rough have also been advised to contact Streetlink, a website which will alert local councils.

The UK government has declared a drought across parts of the South West, parts of southern and central England, and the east of England.

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