After the Government said all rough sleepers must be in by the weekend, Welwyn Hatfield and Hertsmere Borough Councils brought everyone that they could identify as homeless inside.

The councils were given two days notice on Friday that they must find emergency accommodation for all rough sleepers.

However both councils think that there could be many more homeless people still on our streets that they have not yet identified.

A spokeswoman for Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council said: “Ahead of the weekend we made sure that no one in Welwyn Hatfield would be out on the streets.

“This has been achieved thanks to a huge effort from the council’s homelessness team, with support from our dedicated local partners.

“We’ve made suitable facilities available for users of the night shelter, helping protect those who are amongst the most vulnerable to the spread of the virus.

“Throughout the outbreak, they will receive the appropriate help and support and, if needed, somewhere safe to self-isolate.

“There may, however, be people out there that we don’t know about, and to tackle this issue we are appealing for the public’s help.”

Hertsmere Borough Council has worked tireless over the weekend to ensure they also get people inside during the COVID-19 outbreak, according to Potters Bar Oakmere councillor Jean Heywood.

Cllr Heywood, who is also portfolio holder for housing, said: “Last week we were able to achieve this for two individuals on Friday.

“We are working tirelessly to reach out to all other rough sleepers in Hertsmere and would ask that members of the public help us locate those individuals.”

“To help these efforts, some councils will need to call on the Government for urgent help to find accommodation and enforce this and have access to funding if they need to cover additional staffing and support costs.”

However chairman of the Local Government Association Cllr James Jamieson has said: “To help these efforts, some councils will need to call on the Government for urgent help to find accommodation and enforce this and have access to funding if they need to cover additional staffing and support costs.”

Both councils advise residents to report rough sleepers 24/7 via Street Link: streetlink.org.ukYou can find also download the StreetLink app or call 0300 500 0914. If you have concerns about a child’s welfare, please call 999.