Emergency shelters opened as Leeds City Council activates cold weather protocol

Council chiefs said the cold weather protocol will be in place until further notice.

A Leeds City Council spokesman, said: " When freezing weather is forecast, Leeds City Council will apply its cold weather protocol. The cold weather protocol is activated by the council when the weather drops to zero or below, and will not be deactivated irrespective of temperature until the first working day of above zero temperatures.

"When the cold weather protocol is activated, we will open emergency shelters on the first night of the freezing weather although national guidance does not require this until the second night.

"We currently work week in, week out to encourage rough sleepers to move into emergency accommodation that the council funds and also support them into long-term accommodation.

"As part of the cold weather protocol in place, night outreach teams will also be stepped up to make sure that no one has to sleep on the streets in freezing temperatures.

"Through the protocol an additional 23 beds are also made available, and anyone who takes up our offer of emergency shelter will also have their housing and other needs assessed to help ensure that they do not have to return to the streets.

"If anyone is aware of rough sleepers that may not be known to our Leeds Street Outreach Team, please call 0113 245 9445 during the daytime or our out of hours number on 07891273939."https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/yorkshire-weather-snow-warnings-issued-as-beast-from-the-east-edges-toward-yorkshire-1-9032214