Emergency plans for homeless people on the streets in Lancashire are being brought together as the recent big freeze looks set to continue

    Thursday, 8 January 2026 14:05

    By Andy Mitchell and Lynette Horsburgh BBC North West

    Kim Hughes. Credit:- Streetlife Trust

    The county's severe weather emergency protocol (SWEP) sees local partners across the area working to get vulnerable people off the streets when temperatures fall below zero for at least three nights in a row.

    It comes as the Met Office issued another yellow weather warning, and Storm Goretti which was forecast to bring strong winds and snowfall to England on Thursday and Friday.

    Blackpool Council said its Housing Options team undertakes regular street outreach work to identify and offer support to rough sleepers particularly during the winter months, providing offers of support and accommodation where possible.

    When SWEP is activated, an offer of accommodation will be made to rough sleepers through a partnership led by Helping Hearts Fylde and supported by Street Angels and Homeless Action.

    The council said: "We are confident that through partnership working, rough sleepers will have access to holistic support.

    Kim Hughes, from the Blackpool charity Streetlife Trust, said the number of people needing help can change each night.

    "We do also have a winter provision that runs throughout the winter which Homeless Action run, so they will try and accommodate people either in one of the local hostels, temporary accommodation or the winter provision," she said.

    She said Helping Hearts Fylde volunteered to run helps from their premises this year.

    "It's put-up beds basically. It's not hotel accommodation. It's very much an emergency protocol so it's get as many people inside as needs be so that they've got somewhere warm to sleep for the night."

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