Record number of rough sleeper alerts in 24 hours
A record number of rough sleepers were referred to a specialist helpline by members of the public as sub-zero temperatures gripped the country.
More than 3,600 alerts were sent to StreetLink, which connects the homeless to local services, between Monday and Tuesday morning - the highest total ever for a 24-hour period.
The app enables people to alert agencies if they fear for the safety of those on the streets.
With snow on the ground & more bad weather predicted - please don't forget to use https://t.co/GHb8gNJR1U or download the app to tell us about a person sleeping rough. Watch our latest video on the impact of connecting someone to @Tell_StreetLinkhttps://t.co/phRHrQzhjC
-- Street_Link (@Tell_StreetLink) February 26, 2018
More than 2,000 of the referrals concerned people in London, with director Matt Harrison saying the level of concern was "inspiring to see".
He said: "In 2017, alerts from the public enabled us to connect thousands of rough sleepers to accommodation and support services, and we hope that together we can help even more vulnerable people to get their lives back on track this year.
Let's make sure nobody needs to sleep rough in London. As Mayor I'm funding services to give rough sleepers somewhere to sleep, something to eat, someone to listen, and a way off the streets. Find out how you can help rough sleepers in London. https://t.co/LMNiX73CmP
-- Mayor of London (@MayorofLondon) February 24, 2018
"This record number of referrals is inspiring to see, and is the first step people can take to ensure individuals sleeping rough receive the support they need to get into the warm and move away from homelessness for good."
StreetLink, which launched in 2012, is a website, app and phone line that connects rough sleepers in England and Wales with local charities, councils and support groups.
In the past seven days, almost 14,000 people have signed up to StreetLink as users and supporters of the service, it said.
