CONCERNS were raised for the safety of homeless people after an emergency shelter was not opened during severe storms.

A member of the public, David Thomas, voiced his concerns at Brighton and Hove City Council’s Housing Committee meeting.

He told the committee that he was prompted to ask about the council’s Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) as the emergency shelter had not been available during the first weekend of November.

Mr Thomas said: “There have been a number of severe storms, with very severe rain and gale force wind. The sea smashed over the Western Esplanade and trees came down in the Old Steine. In the future this should operate compassionately.”

Brighton and Hove’s SWEP shelter opens on “a flexible basis” when the temperature feels like zero degrees.