Rough sleepers

StreetLink

StreetLink exists to help end rough sleeping by enabling members of the public to connect people sleeping rough with the local services that can support them.

If you are concerned about someone you have seen sleeping rough in England or Wales, you can report to Streetlink. The details you provide are sent to the local authority and outreach service for the area in which you have seen the person, to help them find the individual and connect them to support.

Report a rough sleeper via the Streetlink website.

If the person needs urgent medical attention or you believe they are under 18 years of age, please call 999.

Report a rough sleeper in Woking borough

Cold weather provision

Protecting vulnerable people during severe weather, when conditions can threaten the safety and wellbeing of people who are rough sleeping.

Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP)

The Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) helps to protect and provide for vulnerable people during severe weather.

We work with local homelessness charity, the York Road Project, which will try to offer shelter to all people sleeping rough in Woking by providing emergency accommodation. If the shelter is full, we will work with shelter staff to find alternative temporary accommodation.

Definition of severe weather

SWEP is activated when there is a real risk of loss of life due to weather conditions, it must be applied when the night-time temperature is predicted to be zero degree celsius or below for three consecutive nights.

The following scenarios will also be considered:

  • An occasional forecast above zero in a series of sub-zero nights should not prevent SWEP from being triggered.
  • The impact of rain, snow and wind chill on the effect of temperatures
  • Exceptional weather, including extreme wind, rain and flooding.

In the event of a Met Office Amber Warning or, if severe weather is coupled with very low temperatures, we will examine the situation and decide whether SWEP should be activated. If a red warning is issued then SWEP is automatically activated.

Contacts

If you know of or spot someone sleeping rough during the cold and icy conditions, please report via the StreetLink website.

To contact our housing options team:

To contact the York Road Project: