Instances of delivery drivers for prominent companies such as Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Uber Eats living in homeless encampments in London have been documented. The largest of these camps is situated under a bridge in Shoreditch, east London, where riders have been observed living in unsanitary conditions lacking basic amenities like running water.
These makeshift settlements feature tents set up on pallets to provide a buffer from the ground. Some residents have furnished their temporary homes with scavenged items. The encampment in Shoreditch, which has reportedly doubled in size over two months, is located near vibrant areas with numerous restaurants that utilize these delivery services.
One delivery rider, Ibrahim Mohammed, 26, from Sudan, told the Daily Mail that he has been living at the Shoreditch site for a year while working for Uber Eats. He stated that many individuals working as delivery drivers in the camp are from Sudan and that some may use friends' accounts to operate, a practice that could help them work without proper registration or verification.
Similar encampments have been found in other London locations, including Tottenham Court Road and Clissold Park in Stoke Newington. At Clissold Park, tents were observed with rubbish and clothing strewn nearby. Residents of these camps have often been reluctant to discuss their circumstances or employment.
Local residents have expressed concerns about the encampments, citing issues such as an increase in rats, hygiene problems, and anti-social behavior. However, some also acknowledge the human aspect of the situation, emphasizing the need for better support for those experiencing homelessness.
Representatives from Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Uber Eats have responded to the reports. Deliveroo stated they are concerned and are investigating the claims, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for illegal work and requiring Right to Work document verification for all riders. Uber Eats reported no evidence linking the described deliveries to their orders but reiterated their commitment to combating illegal work through verification technologies. Just Eat highlighted strengthened systems against abuse, including daily facial recognition checks, and ongoing collaboration with the Home Office and industry partners.
Network Rail, which owns some of the land where encampments have been found, acknowledged community concerns and supports the council's engagement efforts, focusing on the safe operation of the railway.
Tower Hamlets Council confirmed awareness of the encampment in Shoreditch and stated they are working with individuals experiencing rough sleeping, providing outreach workers to offer advice and support, including housing options. They noted that rough sleeping often involves complex challenges beyond just housing.