Guardians on rough sleeper alert

The extreme cold can lead to hypothermia

The ongoing cold snap has prompted council staff in central London to be put on high alert for at-risk rough sleepers and the elderly.

Westminster Council's Guardians, who normally patrol the streets in a bid to reduce anti-social behaviour, are on the lookout for vulnerable people.

Rough sleepers or the elderly are referred to social agencies if they appear to need assistance.

Overnight temperatures have plummeted below freezing for several nights.

Cold snap plan

A council spokesman said the string of cold weather automatically activates Westminster's Winter Service Plan that aims to ensure public footpaths are clear of ice and that all council street workers, including Guardians and street cleaners, keep an eye out for those in need.

They are encouraged to inform the council's rough sleeping team of any homeless person who needs help and short-term emergency accommodation is then arranged.

Councillor Danny Chalkley said the weather can lead to dangers for the elderly or infirm.

"The weather can throw all sorts of situations at us and we need to be prepared, on constant look-out for early warning signs and able to react swiftly and efficiently when something does."