France, Dec. 30 -- Paris townhall has called on the police prefecture to put the plan into place over the weekend, referring tothe "dramatic" situation of the several thousand homeless people in and around the city.

The Île-de-France prefecture announced the plan was necessary "given the latest weather forecasts from Meteo-France for the coming days" and "the continued sub-zero temperatures at night".

The emergency winter plan allows for extended opening hours for daytime reception centres, increased outreach patrols and the requisitioning of premises to create emergency shelters for the homeless.

The prefecture said new spaces would be opened in addition to the 46,200 shelter spaces "made available year-round", and the 300 additi...