Dozens of tents have appeared on the central reservation of Euston Road in central London, housing individuals who reportedly travel from Romania and Bulgaria to beg and engage in criminal activities. Local shopkeepers have reported frequent thefts, with one anonymous shopkeeper stating that losses have amounted to hundreds or thousands of pounds since the encampment began around the summer of 2023.
The encampment, which now spans two sections of the reservation, started in August 2022 with a small number of tents and sleeping bags. It has since grown to house more than 40 tents and dozens of individuals. Residents have been observed engaging in activities such as bathing on the central reservation, throwing dishwater onto the road, and playing games on smartphones.
Local authorities and law enforcement are aware of the situation. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson stated that the Safer Neighbourhood Team is working with partners to find a long-term solution and encourages reporting of criminal activity. Camden Council expressed concern for the welfare of those rough sleeping and aims to provide accommodation and support.
One local resident reported that while Camden Outreach, the council's homelessness team, visits the site, they show little interest in individuals who are not dependent on substances. Concerns have been raised about a systemic failure in governance and law enforcement allowing the encampment to persist.
In a separate but nearby incident, four men were allegedly stabbed by a female suspect in Covent Garden, who is reported to be homeless and from Romania. The suspect was arrested, and the incident is believed to be mental health-related. A spokesperson for the St. Mungo's homelessness charity confirmed that none of their clients were affected by the attack and that the perpetrator was not a resident or client of their service.
Some individuals at the encampment have spoken out. Maria, from Romania, claimed she came to the UK for a better life and alleged that Camden Council had failed to find her housing. Hamide, an individual who identified as an illegal immigrant from Sudan, stated he was living in a tent because he had no one to help him after previously staying in a London migrant hotel. The site is located within the constituency of former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who has reportedly made representations to relevant authorities regarding the camp.
Organized criminal networks are known to exploit international travel routes to bring individuals into London for street-level crime and begging, a tactic previously seen in other parts of the city. In 2013, the government repatriated Roma beggars from Marble Arch, though many reportedly returned. Transport for London also spent over £113,000 on a security firm last summer to deter rough sleepers from London's Park Lane.
