As a heat wave grips the region, local people are urged to report anyone who they think may be sleeping rough, to ensure they get offered help and support.

With temperatures forecast to soar, rough sleepers can be at just as much risk as when faced with freezing temperatures. They can suffer from dehydration, heat exhaustion, heatstroke and sunburn.

People can report anyone sleeping rough by calling Dudley Council’s hotline on 0300 555 0030.

The council’s homeless team works around the clock, every day of the year to support people who are homeless, or at risk of losing their home.

Officers will respond to all reports of people sleeping rough and will go out and visit them to give them support and advice and have details of accommodation that is immediately available to them. Councillor Laura Taylor, cabinet member for housing, communities and residents’ welfare, said:

"Although the numbers of people sleeping rough on our streets are low in our borough, we want to urge local residents to report anyone they see who might be sleeping out.

"We ask people to do this every day of the year but when we’re in a period of extreme heat, we know it can pose a real risk to people sleeping rough. Please help us and be our eyes and ears.”

Further information can be found at dudley.gov.uk by searching 'homelessness'.