EXCLUSIVES: Migrants at an encampment in central London say they are not criminals.
Migrants in a ‘tent city’ in London have revealed how much can be made from begging (Image: Ian Vogler)
Migrants in a “tent city” in London have revealed how much can be made from begging. Homeless people have been staying in tents on a central reservation in Euston Road since the Covid pandemic.
Some locals complain the encampment is an eyesore, accusing those who live there of urinating in public, street-drinking, gambling and begging. But two migrants from the camp deny the camp’s inhabitants cause trouble. Liliana, a Romanian national who travelled to the UK in search of a better life, said those at the site only beg when they have to in order to buy food.
A Romanian man says he only begs when in need of food (Image: Ian Vogler)
She said: “[We are] not criminals. People on TikTok, Facebook, saying these people are criminals. If we were criminals, police would come to arrest us…
“People aren’t coming here for money. [Those from the camp who beg are] only getting £1 for three hours begging. People think these people are drug addicts and drinkers, but they aren’t.”
The 50-year-old grandmother who has been in Britain since 2017 said she moved with her husband to the camp from Boston, Lincolnshire, four months ago.
She was working in factories in the market town, but relocated to London when the work dried up. Since then, Liliana said she has worked zero hour contracts cleaning in hotels, earning £13 an hour for six or seven hours a day.
But she said that her earnings weren’t enough to afford to rent in the city so she ended up at the encampment, where about 30 to 40 tents are squeezed together in two rows on the central reservation.
Liliana said her family back in Romania “have nothing” and she would not beg unless she was desperate.
London’s status as one of the world’s wealthiest capitals stands in stark contrast to the camp (Image: Ian Vogler)
A second migrant told the Express he has lived at the camp for five years and has worked as a decorator and at a roadside car-wash, but is now looking for work.
The man, who did not want to give his name, admitted to begging when he needed food, but said he would not gamble.
Lying inside Sir Keir Starmer‘s constituency, the encampment is yards away from University College Hospital and Warren Street Underground Station.
Those who sleep rough at the camp hail from a number of countries, including Romania, Bulgaria, Italy, Poland and the UK.
Camden Council said it is concerned for the welfare of those rough sleeping in Euston Road and its “urgent” focus is to help rebuild their lives off the streets.
A spokesman said: “This means finding suitable accommodation and providing the range of support they need, while working with community partners to make sure the area is safe and maintained for everyone.”
The Metropolitan Police said neighbourhood officers are aware of the camp and are working closely with others to find a long-term solution.
A spokesperson for the force added: “We would encourage anyone who believes they have witnessed criminal activity to contact the police via 101 or online so the matter can be investigated.”
Homeless charity, St Mungo’s, said the fact people are forced to sleep rough in the UK in the 21st century is a scandal.
A spokesperson said: “For too long, people have been forced to bed down on pavements where they face abuse, trauma and worsening mental and physical health with every single night they continue to sleep rough.”
They welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s pledge to end rough sleeping in England, but said his challenge now is to act to end a moral tragedy once and for all.