PEOPLE are urged to be 'the eyes and ears' of the council to look out for rough sleepers as temperatures plummet.

Dudley Council is asking residents to report anyone they see sleeping rough so the council's homelessness team can find the person, provide details of emergency accommodation that is immediately available, and direct them to any other sources of support they may need.

Councillor Keiran Casey, cabinet member for housing and residents welfare, said: "With the weather expected to take a turn for the worse over the next few days, I would appeal to local people to help us and report anyone they suspect may be sleeping rough so we can ensure they get offered the help and support they need.

"We have a fantastic group of people in the homelessness team in Dudley, working around the clock ready to respond to reports and offer emergency accommodation to those in need.

"In some cases not everyone wants the help of the council or wants to move to emergency accommodation, but we will make sure we do everything we can to give them support."

He added: "We will also be looking at what more the council can do to work with some of the fantastic local organisations we have here in Dudley to help those sleeping rough to get off the streets and in to permanent accommodation where they can receive the help and support they need long term."

To report somebody you think is sleeping rough who needs help, call 0300 555 2345.