Story by Joe Acklam

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has activated the emergency severe weather plan to protect homeless people in the capital. 

With level three cold weather alert from the UK Health Security Agency across the country and temperatures set to go sub-zero, the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol has been activated. 

This protocol allows councils and homeless charities to open additional emergency accommodation for people sleeping rough, to help them keep warm by bringing them inside. 

Khan said: "With freezing conditions expected in London through this week, I've activated my severe weather emergency protocol which will ensure anyone seen sleeping rough across the capital is offered a place in emergency accommodation. 

"I am also encouraging Londoners to download the Streetlink app or use the Streetlink website to connect people they see sleeping rough with local support services.  

"Since 2016, we've quadrupled funding and support to tackle homelessness, helping over 13,500 rough sleepers off the streets, but there's much more to do. 

"Too many people are facing freezing temperatures on the streets of the capital without the safe, secure accommodation they need. 

"London's councils and charities will be working even harder this week to support some of the most vulnerable people in our city. On behalf of all Londoners, I thank them for their tireless efforts." 

This protocol has been in place on 26 days across this winter, happening for the first time on 7th December and was in force for 12 days – the longest continuous period since 2017.