Sandwell Council has pledged to help the homeless as the borough continues to shiver in sub-zero temperatures. 

The council have activated their Severe Weather Emergency Provision, meaning they must provide accommodation for rough sleepers whilst temperatures remain below freezing.

Officers will check on the borough's rough sleepers to offer support in response to the severe weather.

They will also contact vulnerable tenants to ensure they are safe and can cope with the snow and sub-zero temperatures.

Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, cabinet member for housing, said: “We are concerned that local people will be at risk if the weather forecasts of heavy snow and low temperatures are correct.

“I think it is important too that we think of the plight of rough sleepers and try to ensure that we remind them of the support that is available to them.

“We have looked at ways we can help our more vulnerable tenants and we will be contacting them by phone initially and then going out to see them if that is required."

Homeless charity Shelter revealed in November there were 182 homeless and 11 rough sleepers in Sandwell. The number of people sleeping rough in England has increased by 73 per cent in the last three years.

Anyone concerned about a rough sleeper is encouraged to report their appearance, and the time and place they were seen, to StreetLink. The charity notifies local authorities and offers people a warm bed for the night. The service had a record-high 3,600 referrals across England and Wales in the 24-hour period from the morning of February 26.

The cold spell will continue in to the weekend. Storm Emma is set to collide with the 'Beast from the East', bringing further snow and freezing temperatures. Red alerts, signaling a danger to life, remain in place for parts of the country.

More information is available on the council’s website at www.sandwell.gov.uk/roughsleepers or by calling your Sandwell Local centre on 0121 368 1166. Referrals can be made at www.streetlink.org.uk or via the StreetLink app.