TWELVE rough sleepers were turned away from an emergency shelter during freezing conditions earlier this winter, it can be revealed.

The homeless people were told they could not stay at Simon House in Paradise Street.

Homeless people can typically get a space at the shelter – regardless of where they are from – when the outdoor temperature is forecast to fall below freezing for three or more nights.

Read again: Homeless deaths in Oxford a 'stark reality'

But the council said these 12 were refused shelter after workers said they had been violent or threatening.

It said they had been judged to ‘pose an unacceptable level of risk to staff, hostel residents and other users’.

Oxford Mail:

Simon House homeless Shelter in Paradise Street.

Council moves to ensure all people could eventually get an emergency bed cost it an extra £20,000 from mid-January. Its original budget for all emergency shelter work was £30,000.

It meant the authority provided ‘personalised accommodation plans’ and increased security and safety measures at Simon House.

Read again: Man who died in churchyard was sleeping rough

The Severe Emergency Weather Protocol (SWEP), triggered when the freezing conditions are forecast, is managed by the Street Population Outreach Team (OxSPOT) and Homeless Oxfordshire.

About 100 people are thought to be living on Oxford’s streets.

At least five rough sleepers have died since the start of December.

Oxford Mail:

File photo of a homeless person's belongings outside the New Theatre in George Street.

Liz Wade, a Liberal Democrat city councillor, said: “We need compassionate solutions to the crisis on our streets.

“This needs to focus on putting money into the brilliant work that charities and community groups do every day, as well as providing stable and secure accommodation for those that need it while they get back on their feet.”

Council spokesman Dave Lansley said: “Before SWEP was activated for the third time on January 17, the council met with providers to find a way to accommodate high-risk rough sleepers.

Read also: New flats opposite the Westgate 'would overshadow historic buildings'

“This meant providing personalised accommodation plans and increased security and safety measures at Simon House.

“As a result, all of the people concerned could access a SWEP bed during freezing weather.”

He added: “The original SWEP budget allocation for 2018/19 was £30,000. As a result of the steps taken to ensure that everybody can access a bed, the council has added an extra £20,000 to the SWEP budget.

“This is to cover the cost of needle sweeps following SWEP activation and the cost additional staffing for these identified high risk individuals.”