Crystal Palace shelter homeless from freezing temperatures

Premier League club Crystal Palace have offered parts of their stadium Selhurst Park as shelter for rough sleepers in south London.

Source: Crystal Palace FC

Parts of the stadium will be used for emergency accomodation when temperatures are forecast to drop below zero degrees.

It's an initiative set up with Croydon Council, who say people who stay will also be given a hot meal, breakfast and washing facilities.

Councillor Alison Butler praised Palace, saying they were "setting a standard for other clubs to follow".

"Freezing temperatures are a particular safety risk for rough sleepers and this is a wonderful gesture by Crystal Palace for helping us reduce that risk."

Eight people already stayed overnight last Thursday on camp beds set up in one of the club's lounges.

Palace chief executive Phil Alexander said the club want to "be a force in the community".

"We are delighted to be collaborating with Croydon Council and their partner agencies to ensure that rough sleepers can find an emergency shelter in the event of severe winter weather."

Palace currently sit 14th on the Premier League ladder and face Southampton next week.