Migrant camp fury on billionaire’s row as travellers drink vodka at 6am and poo in street.uk
A makeshift migrant camp in London’s poshest neighbourhood has left locals and tourists disgusted.
Dozens of migrants have set up an illegal camp in a small green on London’s billionaire’s row – and been pictured defecating in the street. The camp on London’s famous Park Lane is made up of 19 tents scattered across the grass just yards from luxury hotels and high-end restaurants. The group – who say they came from Italy but originally hail from Romania – admit they don’t work, yet remain camped on public land while police do nothing.
Migrants in the camp have been pictured hanging up their laundry, cooking and eating off tables pitched up on the green.
Roma travellers have set up camp on London’s Park Lane (Image: Jeremy Selwyn)
The Roma group have made themselves at home on Park Lane (Image: Jeremy Selwyn)
A witness said they had seen people at the camp drinking at 6am (Image: Jeremy Selwyn)
In one grim snap, a woman at the camp can be seen exposing herself in public and pooing on the grass. When the Daily Express first approached the camp, residents begged for money – asking for £50 by bank transfer.
In an interview with the Daily Express, Diana, a woman at the camp, said: “We don’t steal because it brings trouble. We beg. We beg.” She added that none of the group, some claiming to have been in London for more than two years, speak English but are fluent in Italian and looking for cleaning jobs.
Despite having no fixed address, employment or official permission to be there, Diana claims TfL police officers visit daily and do nothing to move them on.
One of the traveller women was seen defecating next to the road (Image: Jeremy Selwyn)
The residents have access to food and water (Image: Jeremy Selwyn)
The camp has sprung up on London’s Park Lane (Image: Jeremy Selwyn)
“Police visit every day but don’t move us,” she said. “Police check we have food and water and no problem.”
When asked if Westminster Council had offered any support or attempted to relocate the group, the response was blunt: “No. Council no help.”
In a shocking revelation, Diana said she paid £2,000 to reach the UK, describing a journey that began in Libya and ended in England after a boat crossing from Calais.
One woman named Diana explained her story to Express (Image: Jeremy Selwyn)
One of the camp residents has been spotted begging nearby (Image: Jeremy Selwyn)
The travellers said the police do not move them on (Image: Jeremy Selwyn)
She claimed that a double-decker wooden boat departed Libya with migrants and picked up more, including her, in Italy, before heading to France where it collected yet more people before finally arriving on British shores.
This illegal encampment in one of the capital’s poshest neighbourhoods will spark fresh debate over border control, homelessness and the burden of migration on local services.
Despite repeated calls from residents and businesses for tougher action on public camping and begging, the group remains in place with no signs of moving on.
A Westminster City Council spokesperson told Express: “The central reservation of Park Lane is not a safe place for anybody to live and we’re concerned about the welfare of those sleeping there.
“The reasons people live on the street are varied and complex, and many sleeping rough have a range of needs or disabilities and we have supported TfL, who maintain the site, with their recent possession orders – ensuring anybody displaced is able to access help and has an opportunity to get off of the street and into accommodation.
“Everyone wants to see a safe, long-term resolution to the persistent issues at this site and we’re working with TfL to make that a reality as quickly as possible.”
The Metropolitan Police have been contacted for comment.
The camp residents want to work as cleaners (Image: Jeremy Selwyn)
The travellers told the Express that they don’t steal and only beg (Image: Jeremy Selwyn)
