SWEP – What to do if you are concerned about someone sleeping rough in cold weather

Severe Weather Emergency Protocols (SWEP) are activated in both the winter and summer months to minimize the harmful impact of severe weather on the health and wellbeing of people sleeping rough. Additional emergency and temporary housing provision is given from local authorities at this time. We can all play a part in ensuring that people who are rough sleeping receive the appropriate support. If you are concerned about someone sleeping rough in severe weather, please follow the instructions below to contact Streetlink or your local authority.

StreetLink 

You can contact StreetLink by calling 0300 500 0914, visiting the StreetLink website at thestreetlink.org.uk, or using the StreetLink app. StreetLink is a 24/7 service for reporting someone sleeping rough, but it is not an emergency service.

Important: Call 999 if the person is in immediate danger, needs urgent medical assistance, is under 18 or is with someone who is under 18.

Housing 

You can contact the Housing Department of your local authority directly to find out more about SWEP or to refer someone directly to them.

• City of London: hadvice@cityoflondon.gov.uk

• Hackney: housingadvice@hackney.gov.uk

• Tower Hamlets: housing.advice@towerhamlets.gov.uk

• Newham: HLOTeam@newham.gov.uk

• Redbridge: housing.enquiries@redbridge.gov.uk 

• Barking & Dagenham: housingadviceservice@lbbd.gov.uk 

• Waltham Forrest: housing.advice@walthamforest.gov.uk

• Havering: housing.solutions@havering.gov.uk

More information 

How the SWEP protocols work – Crisis UK

SWEP and winter provision – Homeless Link