Illegal Migrants From Different Countries Who Set Up More Than 40 Tents Along a Busy London Road Reveal Why They Are Living and Begging on the Streets

More than 40 tents have been set up on the central reservation of Euston Road in central London. Dozens of people are living there, with many believed to be from Romania and Bulgaria.

The camp has caused concern among local residents and business owners. People have reportedly been seen washing themselves in the street, cleaning cooking equipment and throwing dirty water onto the road. Rubbish, empty food containers, beer cans and used tissues have also collected around the tents.

Some nearby shopkeepers claim people from the camp regularly enter their businesses and steal alcohol and solvents. One shopkeeper, who did not want to be named because he feared trouble, said the thefts had been happening almost every day.

He said the camp began causing serious problems after more people arrived in the summer of 2023. According to him, the thefts have cost his business hundreds or possibly thousands of pounds.

The shopkeeper said police had visited several times, but the problems continued. He also claimed that some people became aggressive when confronted or filmed. Larger shops in the area have hired security guards, but he said his small newsagent could not afford to do the same.

One resident also claimed that a silver Volkswagen Passat with Romanian number plates regularly transported people from the camp to different parts of London. The resident alleged that the car was being used to take them to places where they begged or committed pickpocketing offences. However, this claim was not independently confirmed.

During visits to the camp, reporters saw residents using smartphones and tablets, talking together and carrying out their normal morning activities. Some washed themselves, brushed their teeth, cleaned cooking pans and prepared food before leaving the area.

A makeshift kitchen had been created to store cooking equipment. Many of the tents had been placed on wooden pallets, while nearby bins were overflowing with rubbish.

Most of the people living there are understood to be Romanian or Bulgarian, although British, Ukrainian and other homeless people have also stayed at the site.

Most camp residents refused to speak to reporters, but two agreed to explain their situations.

A Romanian woman named Maria said she came to Britain hoping to find a better life. She claimed she had been living at the camp for about a month because she was homeless and had few opportunities in Romania.

Maria criticised Camden Council, saying it had not helped her find permanent accommodation. She said she was unhappy, stressed and did not want to continue living in a tent. It was unclear what her immigration status was or whether she was entitled to housing assistance in Britain.

Another man, named Hamide, said he left Sudan in 2020 and travelled through several European countries. He worked as a plumber in France before crossing the English Channel to Britain in a small boat several years ago.

The 43-year-old said he lived in a London hotel used to accommodate migrants for one year and ten months. He later left or was removed from the hotel.

The homelessness charity St Mungo’s then offered him a place in a hostel in Victoria. However, he said he left because he was unhappy there. He has lived in a roadside tent since then.

Hamide openly said he did not currently have legal permission to remain in Britain. He said his asylum case was still being handled and that a solicitor was helping him.

The camp first appeared in August 2022. Pictures from Google Street View showed only a few people, sleeping bags and pieces of cardboard at that time. It has since grown to more than 40 tents spread across two sections of the central reservation.

The site is in the Holborn and St Pancras constituency. Sir Keir Starmer is understood to have contacted Transport for London, Camden Council and the Metropolitan Police after residents raised concerns.

Critics say the camp’s continued growth shows that public authorities have failed to find a lasting solution. Local people are questioning why it has remained in such a busy part of London for several years.

In November, The Standard reported that a 32-year-old Romanian man living at the camp died after suffering a suspected heart attack. A small memorial containing flowers and candles was later placed near a tree.

Authorities have faced similar problems in other parts of London. In 2013, the Government paid to return dozens of Roma beggars who had established a camp near Marble Arch to their home countries. Reports later suggested that some returned to Britain.

Transport for London reportedly spent more than £113,000 over three months last summer on private security intended to stop rough sleepers from returning to Park Lane. The area has experienced repeated problems with unauthorised camps.

Westminster City Council also obtained a court order last May to remove a large camp near Hyde Park Corner.

Separately, four men were allegedly stabbed by a woman during an incident on Endell Street in Covent Garden. The attack happened about one mile from the Euston Road camp.

Police arrested a female suspect shortly afterwards. Reports described her as a homeless Romanian woman and said the incident may have been connected to mental health problems. However, St Mungo’s said the suspect was not staying at its Endell Street service and had never received support from the charity.

The Metropolitan Police said its local Safer Neighbourhood Team knew about the group of rough sleepers and was working with other organisations to find a long-term answer. Police encouraged anyone who witnessed criminal activity to report it by calling 101 or using the police website.

Camden Council said it was concerned about the welfare of those sleeping outside. The council said its main aim was to help people leave the streets by finding suitable accommodation and providing the support they needed.

It added that it was working with community organisations to keep the area safe and properly maintained for everyone.