Councils in Suffolk have put plans in place to help the most vulnerable in society as temperatures start to drop.

Ipswich Borough Council will be providing 11 cold weather beds in partnership with the Genesis Housing Association at Cavendish Lodge on Turret Lane.

A spokesperson for the council said: “Access to Cavendish Lodge is from 5pm for an initial assessment by staff, with risk assessments completed by 6pm.

“After that, access will be limited to service users being brought in by prior agreement of staff or by Police.

“Accommodation also comes with an offer of housing advice to see if trained staff can provide longer term help.”

In Bury St Edmunds the Winter Night Shelter will continue to help those in need.

A spokesman for St Edmundsbury Borough Council said: “With the weather forecast, many will be concerned about people out rough sleeping. Our Winter Night Shelter is open and has capacity, and as usual we will do all we can to try to encourage rough sleepers in Bury St Edmunds. Haverhiill and Forest Heath to use it.

“If you know or suspect someone is rough sleeping please report via Street Link so our rough sleeper support worker can go out, speak to them and try to help.”

Babergh District Council have also put plans in place.

A spokesman for Babergh District Council said: “We do not have any emergency beds for rough sleepers but in light of the forecast, we have authorised our severe weather protocol.

“We are asking people to help us by contacting www.streetlink.org.uk if they know of any rough sleepers in the area and they will be put up in a B&B.

“This will be in place all week, starting from now.”

Suffolk Coastal and Waveney District Councils have also set up points of contact.

A spokesperson for the councils said:“Both Suffolk Coastal District and Waveney District Councils have ensured that the SWEP (Severe Weather Emergency Provision) is in place to cover this extreme cold weather.

“Both Councils are working with their respective partners to ensure that nobody will have to sleep rough in East Suffolk. “In the Waveney area this is working with Access Community Trust at the Fyffe Centre, while in Suffolk Coastal this is through the Genesis Housing in Buregate Road, Felixstowe.

“However, if anyone is concerned about anyone that is sleeping rough that we may have missed, they can contact East Suffolk’s emergency out of hours telephone line on 01502 527132/3.”