The founder of a homeless support group is calling for more to be done to protect rough sleepers during the coronavirus outbreak.

Kevin Maddison, who is on the committee for The Night Kitchen Swindon, has criticised Swindon Borough Council for not having a proper procedure in place to protect homeless people from the virus.

He said: “There needs to be some sort of emergency protocol in place for dealing with this situation. We’ve got the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol for when there’s bad weather.

"For this outbreak something needs to be in place to help lessen the chances of the homeless catching it. Otherwise, we're going to be experiencing a lot more fatalities.”

He added: “We haven’t heard anything formal is in place, which brings the question is anything being done?

“Being reasonable towards the council, we know things can always be done better, but even under the current conditions, not enough is being done to protect rough sleepers.”

Kevin drew attention to the way homeless people live with limited access to hand-washing facilities and often sleeping in groups for warmth.

“Sleeping outside during the cold, wet nights makes the homeless a lot more susceptible to catching this virus, particularly where they are unable to stay as physically clean as those of us who live in accommodation,” he said.

Kevin said many of those who live on the streets suffer from additional underlying health conditions such as respiratory problems which make them especially vulnerable to the virus.

“What is needed is for all the professional services to come together to discuss the urgency of this crisis and what can be done to help safeguard the the homeless, including addiction services, mental health services and the council,” said Kevin.

One of the problems faced by the homeless is that organisations that usually help them are scaling back as staff self-isolate.

“We’re going to be all the homeless have got left,” said Kevin. “It’s imperative that people don’t forget about the homeless in these times."

Kevin said his group will never stop handing out food and bedding to those in need.

“They will always have us even when there is no-one else,” he said.

The volunteer-run group provides free hot meals, bedding and clothing to the homeless on Thursday evenings from a stall on Edgeware Road.

A Swindon Borough Council spokesman said: “We have contacted every relevant voluntary group and charity in Swindon and given appropriate advice on health and safety precautions. They have also been asked to contact us immediately if they come across anybody who is homeless or rough sleeping and showing symptoms of coronavirus.

“We have accommodation ready and available for any rough sleepers who need to self-isolate and we will provide them with emergency packets of food and other essentials which we have already put together for them.”

Councillor Cathy Martyn, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safety, said: “People sleeping rough are among the most vulnerable in society, and it is always our priority to ensure they are properly looked after. This unprecedented situation is unfolding rapidly and officers are concerned to keep up to date with the latest advice and information, and to act as necessary.

“If any member of the public is in any way concerned about the welfare of a rough sleeper, they are advised to contact us on 01793 445503 24 hours a day, seven days a week.''