With freezing temperatures forecast through to the weekend, Sir Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, and councils across the capital, including Croydon, have activated the pan-London SWEP – the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol – to protect homeless people.
SWEP has been active for three nights so far this winter, with Croydon’s response in November criticised by sources within the council and outreach groups for being ill-prepared and too slow, with some homeless people sleeping rough in the borough left out on the streets for at least one extra night, in some cases two, after the Greater London Authority activated the SWEP, even though there were warm places available for them to take shelter.
Croydon’s response this time, at least in terms of the council publicising the activation of SWEP, appears to be a good deal more prompt.
Today is the first SWEP activation of 2025 and means councils across London, alongside homelessness charities, will open additional emergency accommodation for people sleeping rough in conditions that could pose a threat to life.
The joined-up approach from the Mayor and London Councils has strengthened support for homeless people in the capital, with all boroughs across the city committed to the Mayor’s “In for Good” principle, which ensures no one is asked to leave accommodation until a support plan is in place to end their rough sleeping, however balmy the weather might be outside.
SWEP was active for 16 nights in winter 2023-2024. More than 17,000 people have been helped off the capital’s streets through the Mayor of London’s services since he took office; according to the Mayor’s office, 75% have stayed off the streets for good.
Homeless help: London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan
Mayor Khan has committed £300,000 for charities Crisis and St Mungo’s to extend accommodation for rough sleepers throughout January 2025.
Among the support measures in place, members of the public are encouraged to help by flagging rough sleepers to support services through StreetLink.
“I have activated my Severe Weather Emergency Protocol in partnership with London councils for the first time in 2025 to ensure anyone seen sleeping rough in freezing conditions is offered emergency accommodation and support to stay off the streets for good,” Sir Sadiq said today.
“I am committed to ending rough sleeping by 2030, and providing support to get people off the streets. Helping them to start rebuilding their lives is at the centre of our plan, as we work together to build a safer, fairer London for everyone.”
In Croydon, the council says that it provided help to 29 people during the previous SWEP in November.
In a statement issued today, Croydon Council said: “As part of SWEP, the council works with its partners to make sure anyone at risk of rough sleeping is supported. Partners are encouraged to engage with the outreach team or contact the council directly about rough sleepers they are aware of. The council can be reached at SWEP@Croydon.gov.uk.”
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