Rough sleepers will be brought inside during Storm Eunice as BCP Council activates its severe weather protocol.

Storm Eunice is expected to hit Dorset on Friday and BCP Council have announced the reactivation of the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP).

SWEP will be active tonight and tomorrow night (17 and 18 February) due to the forecasted storm and will provide emergency shelter to anyone sleeping rough.

Read more: Live updates ahead of Storm Eunice hitting Dorset on Friday

The protocol ensures that vulnerable people are protected and provided for during severe weather.

BCP Council’s website said: “Rough sleeping is always dangerous, but during winter weather it is especially harmful as conditions can threaten the safety and wellbeing of people who are sleeping rough”.

St Mungo’s, a charity to tackle homelessness, will make every effort to offer shelter to anyone sleeping rough in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

St Mungo’s service manager for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Andrew Teale, said: “St Mungo’s Outreach Team is working flat out with our partners including BCP Council to ensure that accommodation is available for every person who is sleeping rough in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area while our Severe Weather Emergency Protocol is activated in response to Storm Eunice.  

“We urge members of the public to make a referral for anybody they see sleeping rough in the region by phoning 01202 315962 so we can reach out to them and offer them emergency accommodation. Sleeping rough is always a risk to health but the additional threat of extreme weather can be life threatening, and we will be working around the clock to support people experiencing homelessness at this time.”

The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for Dorset and other parts of the country and says Storm Eunice may cause “significant disruption due to extremely strong winds on Friday”.