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Cold weather in Dorset triggers help for rough sleepers

Charlotte AndrewsBBC News
News imageGetty Images rough sleeper wrapped up in warm layers holding coffee cupGetty Images
About 2,500 people in the UK were estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in March, government figures revealed

Rough sleepers are being offered temporary shelter with temperatures set to plummet.

Dorset Council has triggered its emergency cold weather provision for homeless people due to a significant cold snap.

In winter, the authority offers help if the Met Office forecasts temperatures of zero degrees or below for three days in a row.

Temperatures are predicted to drop to minus figures from Thursday night.

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In parts of the county, temperatures are forecast to dip to -1C on Friday night and -3C overnight on Saturday and Sunday.

Dorset Council said it wanted to make sure people sleeping rough had the support they needed.

It has urged people to alert them to rough sleepers, so help can be given.

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